Rock in Rio’s estimate for the 2024 edition is to reduce 14 tons of waste during the seven days of the festival now in September. The executive vice president of Rock World, the company that created, organizes and produces the event, Roberta Medina, said that a large part of the goal will be achieved with the unprecedented operation of reusable cups with the beverage brands sponsoring the event. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Rock in Rio will have shows on September 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2024.
“Our goal has always been to reduce the amount of waste generated here. With the reusable cup, you can buy your first drink with a cup, from then on the drink costs less and you can drink as many times as you want,” she said at a press conference at Cidade do Rock, in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio. She also highlights that, in addition to this, there will be water fountains spread throughout the Cidade do Rock area, and, with the reusable cup, the public will be able to fill up for free. Transparent 500 ml plastic bottles will also be allowed to enter and can also be refilled.
“This also demonstrates an evolution in public behavior. Today, with the focus on sustainability, we are already showing that no one is going to pick up a bottle and throw it at the person in front of them. I think we have made progress here and with this initiative we hope to reduce 14 tons. Our goal this year is to go from 81% of waste correctly sent for recycling, which was what we achieved in 2022, to over 90%,” he said.
Roberta cited the forecast by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) that the impact of Rock in Rio on the city’s economy is R$2.9 billion and added that the festival, over the years, seeks to increase its impact more through the project For a Better Worldlaunched in 2001. Since then, together with partners, R$118 million has been invested in socio-environmental projects, 200 institutions have received support and more than 1 million people have benefited.
In terms of accessibility, this year the festival will have pre-registration for people with special needs, an increase in elevated platforms, a sensory area with occupational therapists, sensory kits, a specialized team for assistance, vibrating backpacks and audio description. There will also be information sessions and meetings on diversity with collaborators, and welcoming and inclusion actions with a team specialized in combating gender violence, support for guide dogs, and bathrooms for people with disabilities. Pre-registration can be done on the exclusive accessibility page on the Rock in Rio website, which is constantly updated.
Regarding mobility, the organizers encourage the use of public transportation, which is also a way to reduce emissions generated by the event. In addition to round-trip transportation with a special scheme from the MetrôRio concessionaire, the Rock in Rio Express BRT Service will be offered, which will use the exclusive BRT lane for direct and express trips to the Centro Olímpico Terminal. “Rio de Janeiro has this facility because you can’t get to Rock in Rio without using public transportation. For example, in Portugal it’s a big challenge because the bulk of emissions there are on public transportation,” he explained.
