To ensure not only a vibrant but also a responsible and environmentally friendly celebration of the Cēsis City Festival, this year the Cēsis Municipality will implement measures to provide eco-friendly meals and reduce food waste as part of the "From Waste to Resources" project.
Based on the Handbook for Nature and Climate-Friendly Event Organization developed by the Latvian Nature Fund, the Cēsis Municipality has developed Guidelines for Catering at the Cēsis City Festival. To ensure eco-friendly meals, caterers are encouraged to purchase ingredients from local farms, especially organic ones, and to include vegetarian dishes in their menus. To reduce food waste, caterers are recommended to offer various portion sizes and provide containers for leftover food. Adherence to the guidelines is voluntary for caterers, but during the event, the offerings will be evaluated, and the best ones will receive valuable prizes.
Every year, the Cēsis Municipality pays increasing attention to the sustainability of public events. Residents are encouraged to attend the event on foot or by bicycle. To reduce the use of single-use plastic containers, drinks at the Cēsis City Festival will be offered in deposit cups for the second year in a row. Visitors are invited to bring their own water bottles to refill from publicly available water taps located throughout Cēsis. Additionally, residents are encouraged to carefully sort their waste during the festival. For the first time this year, food waste sorting will be provided in the festival's catering area. The amount of waste generated during the event will be measured, including weighing organic waste, to develop even more precise waste reduction measures for future public events.
Through these measures, the Cēsis Municipality aims not only to ensure an excellent festival but also to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
