Festival Fashion Debate: “Sprouts” vs. Clothespins
A Reddit thread from the festival scene turned into a sustainability moment this week after a user who helps run festival cleanup efforts called out disposable “sprouts” — small costume/accessory pieces popular at shows — as a growing source of micro-trash. The original poster said they love the look and energy these accessories bring, but warned they’re often non-reusable and non-recyclable and are showing up in cleanup piles across sites.
The poster offered a low-tech alternative: wooden clothespins. Their pitch: clothespins are cheap to customize, can be reused, and the wood is biodegradable while the small metal spring can be reused or recycled. The post framed the switch as an environmental suggestion rather than an attack on anyone’s festival style.
- Why some festival workers hate disposable accessories: they add to micro-trash that’s hard to collect and sort.
- Clothespins as a practical alternative: customizable, durable, biodegradable wood + recyclable metal spring.
- Community tone: the thread aimed to start a conversation about sustainable options, not to shame festival fashion.
Takeaway for festival-goers: if you love accessorizing, consider durable or easily recyclable options — enamel pins, fabric patches, or simple wooden clips — and plan to pack out what you pack in. Promoters and vendors looking to cut waste should explore offering swap stations, sturdier merch options, or buy-back programs for single-use festival bling.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/festivals/comments/1ociye4/maybe_unpopular_opinionwe_gotta_get_rid_of/