BRIGHTON Pride organisers have pledged to cut the event’s plastic waste and carbon emissions.

They have introduced a three-year plan to make the event more sustainable.

This will see several new initiatives introduced including a reusable cup scheme at the Preston Park and Pleasure Gardens venues.

It is expected this will reduce the volume of waste that has historically gone to incineration by up to 30 per cent.

Plastic straws have also been banned at all on-site bars and all food concessions are being encouraged to use compostable serving trays and cutlery.

As well as this mixed recycling bins will be placed in the public areas of Preston Park for the first time, with volunteers posted at each one to “make sure festival-goers separate their rubbish properly”.

A Pride spokesman said: “Our contractor will ensure that all recycled materials are sent to an appropriate refuse facility where they will be separated and recycled.

“We are also seeking wood recycling partners, who will collect both general wood waste and pallets for repurposing.”

During previous years’ events bottled water was sold around the sites, but this will be replaced with Aquapax cartons, a recyclable alternative.

Plastic bottles will be swapped for cans at all bars and all staff, crew and volunteers will be given a reusable water bottle to replace the single use plastic bottles used previously.

Organisers also said they planned to install more taps in Preston Park allowing everyone at the festival to refill their water bottles.

They also plan to keep track of energy usage at events associated with the Pride weekend, August 3 and 4.

This includes analysing CO2 emissions at the Preston Park and Pleasure Gardens sites with a view to optimising generator sizings and possible alternative configurations to reduce fuel consumption and asking all floats in the Pride Community Parade to send details of their vehicle engine in order to track the emissions associated with the parade. Organisers urged those planning to go to Pride events to “dispose of their waste sensibly and take plastic cups back to the bars or venues”.