Ultra Music Festival’s innovative sustainability initiative, ‘Mission: Home’, continues to set the bar for environmental responsibility in the festival world. The program achieved significant milestones in 2024, earning accolades both statewide and internationally. From the Sustainability Program Award from the Florida Festivals and Events Association (FFEA) to its recognition as a global leader, ‘Mission: Home’ demonstrates Ultra’s dedication to the planet. At the 30th annual FFEA Convention & Expo, ‘Mission: Home’ earned its fourth FFEA accolade. It won the prestigious SUNsational Award for sustainability. The program stood out among more than 500 submissions for its creative approach to waste reduction, resource management, and community engagement. This recognition follows last year’s World Sustainability Awards, where ‘Mission: Home’ took home the Sustainability Team Award. In 2024, the initiative was also named a finalist for the Sustainability Excellence Award. Since launching in 2019, the program has achieved remarkable results. It diverted 293,000 pounds of waste from landfills and eliminated over 2.1 million plastic items. Today, it is known as one of North America’s most comprehensive festival sustainability programs. In 2024, ‘Mission: Home’ implemented 50 sustainability initiatives. Each initiative brought unique and meaningful results. For example, the program partnered with Recreate Miami to recycle 19,600 pounds of construction materials. Another partnership with The Caring Place provided 19,400 pounds of food and beverage donations to feed Miami’s homeless community. Ultra’s waste management partner, Clean Vibes, achieved a 100% recycling acceptance rate. They also expanded composting efforts and introduced soft plastic recycling. Additional initiatives included water refill stations, bans on Styrofoam, and eliminating single-use plastics at bars and food vendors. The program’s community engagement efforts were equally impactful. Its Eco Village offered educational activities for 165,000 attendees. The annual pre-event shoreline cleanup, done in partnership with local organizations, removed 2,850 pounds of marine debris. Globally, ‘Mission: Home’ reached 7.4 million people through social media and live streams. Beyond waste reduction, ‘Mission: Home’ is addressing climate change. Advanced power assessments and carbon offset programs are key parts of this effort. Ultra partnered with We Are Neutral to support Florida-based offset projects. They also worked to reduce generator use at the festival to lower emissions. As Ultra prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, ‘Mission: Home’ continues to evolve. Each year, it finds new ways to protect the planet and inspire change. Vivian Belzaguy Hunter, Ultra’s Sustainability Director, highlighted the program’s significance. “The power of Ultra’s platform sets an example not only for the music festival industry but for audiences worldwide.” As ‘Mission: Home’ grows, it reaffirms Ultra’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future for festivals everywhere. Congratulations to Ultra Music Festival and the ‘Mission: Home’ team on their incredible achievements. In conclusion, their work shows how entertainment can align with environmental responsibility. If more companies adopted this forward-thinking approach, we could make a huge difference for our planet. Ultra’s example proves that change is possible and sets a powerful precedent for others to follow. Here’s to their continued success!Ultra’s ‘Mission: Home’ Sustainability Program Garners Global and Local Recognition
Leading the Charge in Sustainability
Empowering Change Through Collaboration
A Vision for the Future
Congratulations and a Call to Action