Notting Hill Carnival joins forces with Ecotricity

Notting Hill Carnival is partnering with Ecotricity this weekend as the organisers look to make it the ‘greenest party’ in the event’s 52-year history.

The green energy company will spread sustainability messages during the festival through what they call a ‘host of interactive, family-friendly activities.’

It has also powered two key Carnival locations – the Tabernacle and Yaa Centre – with 100% green electricity for the whole of August.

Will Guyatt, head of communications at Ecotricity said: ‘Notting Hill Carnival is one of the world’s greatest parties, and we’re bringing all we’ve learnt from over twenty years of building a greener Britain to our new partnership. We’ll be working together to make Carnival truly sustainable.’

The Carnival are also working with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) as well as Thames Water to introduce new green initiatives.

RBKC’s ‘Every Can Counts’ is making its first appearance at Notting Hill Carnival and will be asking carnival goers to fill their ‘I ♥ NHC’ sign with cans.

Ecotricity claims every 800 cans that are recycled can save enough electricity to power a sound system for the day.

Food waste bins will also be introduced to encourage people to recycle their leftovers.

Matthew Phillip, Notting Hill Carnival executive director said: ‘RBKC’s Every Can Counts initiative is actively encouraging all carnival goers to think about all of their waste.

‘Whether that be recycling their cans or using the new food waste bins, it will go a long way to helping us reduce the waste on the streets, as will the introduction of the carnivals first ever Thames Water Bar which will be based on Shrewsbury Road.

‘These are just a few small steps towards a much larger goal which will eventually see all elements of carnival be as environmentally friendly as they can be.’

The ‘Thames Water Bar’ is also being introduced which will give all carnival goers access to free drinking water in an effort to save plastics and encourage the use of reusable bottles.