Thirty-five thousand music fans are expected to head to the white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores for the seventh annual Hangout Music Festival, from May 20 to 22. The packed schedule, featuring a diverse lineup of artists, is sure to entertain the audience, but what kind of footprint does this type of event leave in the sand?

“Hosting a music festival on the beach is unique and requires us to be extra mindful of our surroundings, which include many habitats and wildlife,” says Senior Festival Coordinator Jessica Downs.

Waste removal from the beach is a high priority, and this year the festival is partnering with Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to provide fans with a chance to earn merchandise in exchange for their help with recycling efforts during the event. ADEM also helps inform festival-goers about what items can be recycled, where to recycle them and how to increase personal recycling yields at home. All collected recyclables are sorted on-site and transported to nearby recycling facilities.

Last year, the event recycled 48,000 pounds of corrugated cardboard, plastic, aluminum and glass, which reflects an 84 percent increase from 2014. Additionally, 640,000 pounds of sod (brought in for non-beach stage areas) was recycled, and food vendors recycle cooking oil.

Downs adds, “Beyond making sure that we don’t leave anything behind, we are very cautious of the way we use lights, so to not disturb or confuse sea turtles. We have an action plan in place should one come onto shore within the festival footprint.”

While bottled water will be sold, and plastic can be recycled onsite, festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, which can be filled for free at water stations throughout the venue.

As incentive for shuttle use, organizers offer prizes (such as VIP upgrades), surprise artist visits and live performances on the commutes. For the first time, patrons will be able to ride any shuttle line at any time during operating hours, eliminating the need to select a specific shuttle line when purchasing a pass. “We also encourage attendees to walk or bike to the show from their condos,” says Downs, who notes that bike parking is available at the North entrance.

The beautiful beach setting is just one of the many elements that sets the Hangout Music Festival apart from other well-respected festivals across the country. As a result of these conservation-minded initiatives, Hangout’s small footprint helps ensure a sustainable future for years to come.

For more information, visit HangoutMusicFest.com.