We know it's August by the scent of salt in the air, signaling that school is just around the corner. This summer has been full of wild adventures, and I’m excited to share my experiences and reflections as a CCI student exploring the world for fun. From immersing myself in different cultures and savoring new cuisines to trying (and admittedly failing) to speak a new language, I’ve had the chance to see the world through the lens of my CCI experiences, particularly in the realm of music as a creative sector. The insights I gained along the way were just as memorable as the journey itself.
I particularly want to share my experiences in Switzerland, which is hands down one of the most beautiful, and dare I say, cleanest, countries I've ever visited. Switzerland is full of surprises. From learning that, according to sources like US News, it holds one of the most stable economies in the world, to realizing that stores close promptly at 7 PM with no exceptions (talk about culture shock!). And on Sundays, you truly get to experience the gift of a day of rest. There's no hum of computers, no bustling offices, not even the scratching of pencils—just the laughter of people and the sweet scent of ice cream on a bright, sunny day.
While I was abroad, I made a conscious effort to stay open to the creative and cultural industries around me, eager to see what I could discover. To my surprise, I found more connections than I ever imagined, but one in particular stood out.
As my mom and I explored the city, we were lucky to stumble upon a music celebration called Lucerne Live. To my surprise, I quickly learned that for ten days each year, this typically quiet city transforms into a vibrant summer festival. From 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the streets come alive with the sounds of both international and national music. Over 60 bands and 42 DJs perform on seven different stages around the fairy-tale-like Lake Basin in the heart of Lucerne.
Unbeknownst to me, I discovered that this beautiful city has a wonderful history with music. Another notable event, which I didn’t get to attend, is the Lucerne Festival: A Journey Through Music And Culture. It was founded in 1938, during a time when the city served as a refuge for musicians amidst the turmoil of pre-World War II Europe. It was established on the belief that music should be shared, making Lucerne a premier destination for music lovers. Lucerne Live, on the other hand, was created with idealism, love for the city, and a passion for music. As a testament to the city's deep musical roots, Lucerne Live offers free entrance, highlighting the importance of music in Switzerland.
In addition to the abundance of musical performances, this festival is also known for its focus on food, and for the first time at an event of this magnitude I encountered something new! As my mom and I enjoyed gyros and quesadillas, I noticed that each time we bought something, we were given a little blue coin. Facing the language barrier and my own confusion, I finally gathered the courage to ask about it.
The blonde Swiss-German woman who handed me my food explained that Switzerland has a unique sustainability effort. At any festival in Switzerland, vendors add a supplemental charge of 2 CHF (about $2.25 USD) to each purchase, which is represented by a small blue coin they hand you. When you’re done with your food and drinks, you return the coin along with your trash to any vendor stand to get your money back. The aim of this initiative is to reduce waste in the lakes and mountains. Given the choice between tossing your trash on the ground or getting some money back, I bet you'd opt to return that coin too.
I also noticed that large trash cans were strategically placed about 50 feet apart throughout the festival. And did the blue coin initiative work? From what I saw over the two days I was there, not a single piece of trash was left on the ground or in the lakes.
I was blown away by seeing sustainability and music come together so seamlessly. It made me think back to Coachella and the huge amount of trash left behind this year. I keep wondering what sets the United States apart from Switzerland in terms of sustainability efforts. Is it cultural differences? A greater sense of responsibility? What’s the secret? To this day, I’m still quite not sure.
I looked into Coachella's sustainability efforts and realized that a lot of it depends on the attendees. They have the BYOBottle Campaign, encouraging people to bring reusable water bottles. They ask attendees to use the trash cans, carpool, or use low-emission vehicles. They even provide blue (for recycling) and clear (for landfill) liners at toll booths for campers to sort their waste and leave it near a trash can. Lastly, they also remind people to turn off lights and appliances when leaving their home or hotel room.
During my research, I also discovered that Coachella does donate leftover clothing, camping gear, and dry foods to organizations like The Galilee Center and other local groups, which pick them up by the truckload. However, according to Waste360, over 100 tons of waste are produced each day, with only 20% being recycled. Are donations enough? Or is there more we can do to improve?
As an eternal optimist, I’m confident there's always room for growth. Unfortunately, the photos and recurring complaints—like not enough trash cans and people tossing trash on the ground—speak for themselves. I believe that Coachella needs to do more than just encourage sustainability; it should make it a core part of their culture. When people are unwilling to leave their spot during a music set to find a trash can, they end up tossing their trash on the ground, and that’s where much of the problem lies.
Harnessing the power of social media and influencers, who are already a big part of Coachella, to implement a sustainability campaign similar to the practices I saw in Switzerland would be a great first step. Maybe charging an extra dollar or two might help reduce the amount of trash ending up on the floor. Again, I want to emphasize that these are just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. I truly believe that sustainability should be an ongoing conversation in the evolving festival culture. It’s time to make sustainability a fundamental part of the festival experience, not just viewing it as a trend.
Writing about sustainability and festival culture has driven me to consider how we can shift our mindset and take better care of the only Earth we have. That’s what I love about traveling—it opens your perspectives and pushes you to think beyond your bubble. I’m eager to see what Coachella and other major festivals will implement next in terms of sustainability. While I believe the responsibility largely falls on festival organizers, it's important to acknowledge that the change also depends on us. As active members of the festival community, we need to reflect on our values. Is it worth leaving a plastic wrapper on the ground just to avoid possibly losing our spot? If you're a CCI student who has attended these festivals, we’d love to hear your thoughts on their current efforts and how you think they could improve. Share your ideas with us on Instagram or by email!
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