{"id":278349,"date":"2025-06-15T13:44:03","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T13:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-bottle-collector\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:06","slug":"a-day-in-the-life-of-a-bottle-collector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-bottle-collector\/","title":{"rendered":"A day in the life of a bottle collector"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n<\/p>\n

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A regular Wednesday afternoon at Roskilde Festival\u2019s central refund station. Dealing with hundreds of items for each person, the wait in line usually lasts several hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Intro: Roskilde Festival <\/span>is<\/span> more <\/span>than<\/span> \u2018<\/span>just a music festival<\/span>\u2019 \u2013<\/span> they<\/span> say<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s<\/span> an <\/span>ongoing<\/span> joke<\/span> in <\/span>Denmark<\/span>: once a <\/span>year<\/span>, \u2018Roskilde Festival\u2019 <\/span>becomes<\/span> the fourth largest <\/span>city in the country. <\/span>What<\/span> started<\/span> as<\/span> a small <\/span>student<\/span> gathering<\/span> in the 1970s, the music <\/span>celebration<\/span>\u2014<\/span>held<\/span> not<\/span> far from <\/span>Denmark\u2019s<\/span> capital, <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span>\u2014<\/span>has<\/span> grown<\/span> into<\/span> one of the <\/span>largest<\/span> temporary cities in the world, with 130,000 tickets sold last <\/span>year<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival <\/span>is<\/span> widely<\/span> regarded<\/span> as<\/span> a national cultural <\/span>staple<\/span>, a symbol of <\/span>friendship<\/span>, <\/span>liberation<\/span>, and <\/span>freedom<\/span>, part of the coming-of-age of <\/span>many<\/span> young<\/span> Danes. For <\/span>instance<\/span>, in the words of <\/span>Hanna (<\/span>fictional<\/span> name), a <\/span>young<\/span> university<\/span> student<\/span> at<\/span> Copenhagen<\/span> Business School, <\/span>who<\/span> writes<\/span> in <\/span>her<\/span> exam<\/span> paper<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c[\u2026] <\/span>it<\/span> is<\/span> so <\/span>much<\/span> more <\/span>than<\/span> just a music festival. <\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> a place <\/span>where<\/span> you<\/span> go to bed <\/span>in a freezing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>cold<\/span> tent<\/span>, <\/span>only<\/span> to <\/span>wake<\/span> up <\/span>gasping<\/span> for air <\/span>in a<\/span> sauna [\u2026] <\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> a place <\/span>where<\/span> you promised\u00a0yourself<\/span> you\u2019d<\/span> save<\/span> money and <\/span>only<\/span> eat<\/span> mackerel<\/span> (ed. <\/span>Danish<\/span> herring<\/span>, a popular canned<\/span>\u00a0meal<\/span>)<\/span> in tomato <\/span>sauce<\/span> but<\/span> somehow<\/span> find<\/span> yourself<\/span> chasing<\/span> the food trucks <\/span>as<\/span> soon<\/span> as<\/span>the festival site <\/span>opens<\/span>. <\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> a place to <\/span>return<\/span> to <\/span>year<\/span> after <\/span>year<\/span>, and <\/span>where<\/span> you<\/span> can be <\/span>who<\/span> you really\u00a0are or <\/span>become<\/span> someone<\/span> new [\u2026] <\/span>because<\/span> Roskilde Festival <\/span>is<\/span> a free <\/span>space<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How <\/span>could<\/span> one <\/span>not<\/span> feel<\/span> drawn<\/span> to <\/span>such<\/span> a <\/span>romantic<\/span> narrative? Roskilde Festival <\/span>seems<\/span> to feel like<\/span>\u00a0the place <\/span>where<\/span> boundaries<\/span> dissolve and the <\/span>potential<\/span> for self-<\/span>discovery<\/span> thrives<\/span>. <\/span>Perhaps<\/span>, for some, the <\/span>most<\/span> authentic<\/span> version<\/span> of <\/span>themselves<\/span> is<\/span> waiting<\/span> in a<\/span> tent<\/span> at<\/span> the <\/span>campsite<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When<\/span> considering<\/span> the narrative <\/span>surrounding<\/span> the festival, <\/span>it<\/span> feels<\/span> like <\/span>much<\/span> more <\/span>than<\/span> a party. One <\/span>example<\/span> is<\/span> the <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> most<\/span> famous<\/span> tagline<\/span>: to be the <\/span>beholder<\/span> of the \u2018Orange feeling\u2019\u2014a <\/span>reference<\/span> to the <\/span>iconic<\/span> \u2018Orange Stage,\u2019 <\/span>which<\/span> has<\/span> defined<\/span> the <\/span>event\u2019s<\/span> skyline <\/span>since<\/span> its<\/span> beginning<\/span> decades<\/span> ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

And <\/span>what<\/span> is<\/span> Roskilde\u2019s<\/span> famous<\/span> \u2018Orange feeling\u2019? In <\/span>a 2016 after-movie<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>many<\/span> attendees<\/span> were asked\u00a0about<\/span> it<\/span>. One girl points out <\/span>its<\/span> universality<\/span>: \u201c[\u2026] <\/span>everyone<\/span> has<\/span> heard<\/span> of the Orange feeling.\u201d <\/span>Another<\/span> guy <\/span>articulates<\/span> it<\/span> as<\/span> \u201conce <\/span>you<\/span> get<\/span> to <\/span>this<\/span> side of the fence, <\/span>there<\/span> is<\/span> no rule, <\/span>you<\/span> can do whatever <\/span>you<\/span> want<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>It<\/span> seems<\/span> that<\/span> Roskilde Festival <\/span>embodies<\/span> a mix of love, <\/span>openness<\/span>, <\/span>fun<\/span>, and <\/span>carefree<\/span> energy in the air\u2014a secret recipe <\/span>that<\/span> makes <\/span>it<\/span> so life-<\/span>affirming<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roskilde Festival <\/span>presents<\/span> it<\/span> as<\/span> a sort of Arcadia <\/span>version<\/span> 2.0, <\/span>shaped<\/span> by contemporary priorities<\/span>\u00a0and progressive <\/span>ideals<\/span>. <\/span>True to the <\/span>essence<\/span> of <\/span>utopian<\/span> visions<\/span>, <\/span>this<\/span> \u201cnew <\/span>pastoral<\/span>utopia\u201d <\/span>offers<\/span> a <\/span>space<\/span> to focus on <\/span>life\u2019s<\/span> pleasures<\/span>: <\/span>forming<\/span> human connections, dreaming with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>music, and <\/span>experiencing<\/span> a <\/span>boundary<\/span>-free <\/span>environment<\/span>. At the <\/span>same<\/span> time, the festival <\/span>integrates<\/span> easy-access <\/span>activism<\/span>, branding <\/span>itself<\/span> as<\/span> \u201ca <\/span>movement<\/span>\u201d <\/span>while<\/span> operating<\/span> with the <\/span>legal<\/span> status of a non-profit <\/span>organization<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Various<\/span> media outlets <\/span>have<\/span> described<\/span> the festival <\/span>as<\/span> being<\/span> at<\/span> the <\/span>forefront<\/span> of the seemingly perfect<\/span>\u00a0intersection<\/span> of art, <\/span>innovation<\/span>, and people: \u201c[Roskilde Festival] <\/span>is<\/span> an experimental space<\/span>\u00a0for art, <\/span>sustainability<\/span>, cultural projects, new ways of <\/span>creating<\/span> community and <\/span>addressing<\/span> societal<\/span> issues<\/span>. A free <\/span>space<\/span> where<\/span> young<\/span> people <\/span>explore<\/span> new <\/span>perspectives<\/span> based<\/span>on art and <\/span>creativity<\/span>. And a real-time <\/span>innovation<\/span> lab for testing out new products and <\/span>ideas<\/span>.\u201d (<\/span>creativedenmark.com, <\/span>link<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>What<\/span> many<\/span> do <\/span>not<\/span> realize<\/span> is<\/span> that<\/span> while<\/span> the <\/span>locals<\/span> are <\/span>partying<\/span>, <\/span>hundreds<\/span> work in the <\/span>shadows<\/span>\u2014<\/span>playing a <\/span>crucial<\/span> role<\/span> in keeping the festival from <\/span>imploding<\/span> under the weight of trash. <\/span>Each<\/span> year<\/span>, a <\/span>growing<\/span> number<\/span> of <\/span>individuals<\/span> from <\/span>marginalized<\/span> communities, <\/span>primarily<\/span> from Romania and West Africa, travel <\/span>north<\/span> to <\/span>collect<\/span> empty<\/span> beer<\/span> bottles<\/span>, <\/span>cups<\/span>, and <\/span>cans<\/span> discarded<\/span>by <\/span>thousands<\/span> of festival-<\/span>goers<\/span>, <\/span>exchanging<\/span> them<\/span> for <\/span>cash <\/span>through<\/span> the <\/span>Danish<\/span> refund<\/span> system<\/span><\/a>. Roskilde Festival <\/span>acknowledges<\/span> that<\/span> more <\/span>than<\/span> 300 <\/span>refund<\/span> collectors<\/span> from <\/span>about<\/span> 15 countries <\/span>visit<\/span> the festival <\/span>annually<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Refund collectors are queuing and waiting to exchange their bottles for the deposit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> can be <\/span>found<\/span> in <\/span>most<\/span> countries <\/span>that<\/span> have<\/span> implemented<\/span> a <\/span>deposit<\/span> system for <\/span>bottles<\/span> and <\/span>aluminum<\/span> cans<\/span>. <\/span>While<\/span> this<\/span> practice <\/span>serves<\/span> as<\/span> one of the <\/span>many<\/span> \u201cside <\/span>hustles<\/span>\u201d for <\/span>individuals<\/span> living <\/span>below<\/span> the <\/span>poverty<\/span> line <\/span>throughout<\/span> the <\/span>year<\/span>, <\/span>it<\/span> is<\/span> during<\/span> the \u201cfestival season\u201d <\/span>that<\/span> the scale <\/span>blows<\/span> out of <\/span>proportion<\/span>. In the case of <\/span>Denmark<\/span>, for <\/span>instance<\/span>, entire families<\/span>\u00a0travel <\/span>north<\/span> specifically<\/span> to make a living from the <\/span>empty<\/span> beer<\/span> cans<\/span> thrown<\/span> around<\/span> by the Danes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An ordinary \u201cPant machine\u201d in the back of a grocery store in Copenhagen. \u201cPant\u201d is the Danish name for the items eligible for the refund system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

However<\/span>, <\/span>this<\/span> job <\/span>is<\/span> far from <\/span>being<\/span> \u201ceasy money.\u201d <\/span>It<\/span> requires<\/span> a <\/span>physical<\/span> and <\/span>mental<\/span> strain <\/span>beyond<\/span> the <\/span>individual<\/span> capabilities: the <\/span>effort<\/span> is<\/span> 24\/7, and after <\/span>being<\/span> in <\/span>constant<\/span> movement for\u00a0a week <\/span>straight<\/span> with <\/span>little<\/span> to no <\/span>sleep<\/span>, <\/span>collectors<\/span> quickly<\/span> become<\/span> exhausted<\/span> and <\/span>sick<\/span>. <\/span>Facing<\/span> fierce<\/span> competition<\/span> among<\/span> an <\/span>increasing<\/span> number<\/span> of people <\/span>joining<\/span> the festival for <\/span>refund<\/span> collection<\/span> purposes<\/span> every<\/span> year<\/span>, the <\/span>collectors<\/span> work in <\/span>harsh<\/span> conditions<\/span> without<\/span> an official <\/span>acknowledgment<\/span> by the <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> management. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> operate <\/span>in a<\/span> gray area of <\/span>regulations<\/span>. <\/span>Many<\/span> festival <\/span>goers<\/span> mistakenly<\/span> believe the\u00a0<\/span>refund<\/span> collectors<\/span> are <\/span>employed<\/span> as<\/span> cleaners<\/span> by the festival, <\/span>but<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> not<\/span> the case. They are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>all<\/span> paying<\/span> for a regular, full festival ticket. <\/span><\/p>\n

How <\/span>does<\/span> this<\/span> bottle<\/span> collection<\/span> process<\/span> fit<\/span> into<\/span> Roskilde <\/span>Festival\u2019s<\/span> \u2018Orange feeling\u2019? How do the <\/span>collectors<\/span> live the festival <\/span>experience<\/span>? And <\/span>how<\/span> does<\/span> it<\/span> relate to <\/span>what<\/span> the festival <\/span>promises<\/span> and <\/span>promotes<\/span>? To <\/span>find<\/span> out, I <\/span>spent<\/span> the <\/span>entire<\/span> week <\/span>at<\/span> last <\/span>summer\u2019s<\/span> festival. <\/span>Between<\/span> concerts<\/span> and parties, I <\/span>spent<\/span> my<\/span> time <\/span>volunteering<\/span> in the \u201c<\/span>Refund<\/span> stations\u201d\u2014<\/span>designated<\/span> spots <\/span>where<\/span> empty<\/span> containers can be <\/span>exchanged<\/span> for money\u2014and learning about the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>collectors<\/span>\u2019 <\/span>daily<\/span> lives<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

First encounters with the \u2018Orange Feeling\u2019: the <\/span>Crowd<\/span>, the Trash, Lars, Marlene, <\/span>Joe<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

The arrival at Roskilde Train Station. Trains run from Copenhagen to Roskilde every 20 minutes; however, every ride is incredibly packed during the first few days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> opening day, June 30th, <\/span>had<\/span> arrived<\/span>, and <\/span>it<\/span> was<\/span> time for me to board the <\/span>regional<\/span> train<\/span> from <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span> to Roskilde. <\/span>Joining<\/span> me <\/span>were<\/span> hundreds<\/span> of excited festival goers<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival <\/span>is<\/span> held<\/span> south of the <\/span>town<\/span> of Roskilde, <\/span>around<\/span> 5 km <\/span>away<\/span> from the center and 35 km from <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span>. <\/span>During<\/span> the <\/span>commute<\/span> to the <\/span>campsite<\/span>, the <\/span>atmosphere<\/span> already<\/span> feels electric\u2014and <\/span>slightly<\/span> surreal<\/span>. A <\/span>significant<\/span> part of <\/span>this<\/span> feeling <\/span>comes<\/span> from the comical amount<\/span>\u00a0of <\/span>luggage<\/span> everyone<\/span> seems<\/span> to <\/span>carry<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As<\/span> a reader, <\/span>you<\/span> would<\/span> imagine<\/span> that<\/span> packing<\/span> a <\/span>hiking<\/span> backpack<\/span> or so <\/span>would<\/span> be <\/span>enough<\/span> in <\/span>order<\/span> to <\/span>enjoy<\/span> a music festival? <\/span>Well<\/span>, <\/span>you<\/span> will<\/span> have<\/span> to think <\/span>again<\/span>! In Roskilde, <\/span>Denmark<\/span>, I <\/span>see<\/span> hundreds<\/span> of people, <\/span>many<\/span> looking<\/span> like 16-year-olds, <\/span>hauling<\/span> ultra-<\/span>packed<\/span> dollies and IKEA <\/span>bags<\/span>. Speakers are <\/span>pushed<\/span> with shopping trolleys, <\/span>while<\/span> dozens<\/span> of Tuborg 18-packs and <\/span>various<\/span> supplies are <\/span>precariously<\/span> stacked<\/span> and <\/span>creatively<\/span> secured<\/span> with <\/span>gaffer<\/span> tape, often appearing<\/span>\u00a0to <\/span>exceed<\/span> a <\/span>person\u2019s<\/span> whole<\/span> body weight (<\/span>later<\/span>, <\/span>at<\/span> the <\/span>campsite<\/span>, I <\/span>would<\/span> witness even\u00a0funnier<\/span> items, like <\/span>someone<\/span> deciding<\/span> to <\/span>bring<\/span> an <\/span>entire<\/span> living room <\/span>couch<\/span> to the party\u2014yes, an <\/span>actual<\/span> couch<\/span>!).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On <\/span>my<\/span> way to the festival, I <\/span>feel<\/span> a <\/span>stark<\/span> contrast<\/span>. <\/span>There<\/span> is<\/span> this<\/span> quiet <\/span>Danish<\/span> town<\/span>, Roskilde, <\/span>often<\/span> described<\/span> by people in <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span> as<\/span> a <\/span>boring<\/span> place <\/span>where<\/span> nothing<\/span> ever<\/span> happens<\/span>. <\/span>Then<\/span>, <\/span>suddenly<\/span>, a new group <\/span>emerges<\/span>: festival goers<\/span>\u00a0with <\/span>luggage<\/span> double <\/span>their<\/span> body weight, and <\/span>everything<\/span> mummified<\/span> in <\/span>gaffer<\/span> tape (<\/span>everyone<\/span> seems<\/span> to <\/span>have<\/span> adopted<\/span> the <\/span>same<\/span> taping solutions , like an <\/span>unspoken<\/span> rule) to <\/span>keep<\/span> it<\/span> together<\/span>. A <\/span>Scandinavian<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Orderly<\/span> Chaos\u201d\u2014<\/span>everyone<\/span> adopting<\/span> the <\/span>same<\/span> pattern of <\/span>behavior<\/span> in <\/span>embracing<\/span> disruption, <\/span>yet<\/span> being remarkably\u00a0creative in <\/span>finding<\/span> individualized<\/span> solutions<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

At the festival, <\/span>already<\/span> on the first day, the <\/span>constant<\/span> noise<\/span> is<\/span> striking<\/span>, with <\/span>little<\/span> distinction between\u00a0day and night. <\/span>Besides<\/span> the music stages, <\/span>most<\/span> of the parties <\/span>will<\/span> happen<\/span> on the <\/span>campsite<\/span>, <\/span>where<\/span> groups of people <\/span>organize<\/span> themselves<\/span> in <\/span>camps<\/span> and <\/span>blast<\/span> speakers from <\/span>there<\/span>. The <\/span>several<\/span> music sources <\/span>overlap<\/span> and <\/span>morph<\/span> into<\/span> something<\/span> indistinguishable<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, <\/span>as<\/span> a <\/span>volunteer<\/span>, <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> fortunate to <\/span>have<\/span> been<\/span> given<\/span> access to a <\/span>reserved<\/span> camping area <\/span>that<\/span> is much\u00a0quieter<\/span> than<\/span> the <\/span>rest<\/span>. <\/span>Each<\/span> of <\/span>my<\/span> volunteer<\/span> shifts <\/span>will<\/span> last <\/span>eight<\/span> hours, <\/span>covering<\/span> both daytime\u00a0and <\/span>nighttime<\/span> on <\/span>four<\/span> separate days of the festival week, <\/span>intertwining<\/span> with <\/span>my<\/span>\u201cregular\u201d festival <\/span>experience<\/span>. <\/span>Surprisingly<\/span>, <\/span>having<\/span> to set the <\/span>alarm<\/span> and <\/span>having<\/span> to be <\/span>somewhere<\/span> at<\/span> a <\/span>particular<\/span> hour <\/span>will<\/span> integrate <\/span>smoothly<\/span>, <\/span>otherwise<\/span>, <\/span>in a<\/span> festival, <\/span>most<\/span> days <\/span>might<\/span> quickly<\/span> feel<\/span> like <\/span>blending<\/span>. I <\/span>guess<\/span> that<\/span> losing<\/span> track of time <\/span>is<\/span> another<\/span> component of the \u201c<\/span>liberation<\/span>\u201d <\/span>experience<\/span>; in <\/span>my<\/span> case, I can <\/span>feel<\/span> the time <\/span>passing<\/span> and <\/span>feel<\/span> like I <\/span>remain<\/span> more <\/span>grounded<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Being<\/span> a major festival, Roskilde <\/span>Festival\u2019s<\/span> calendar<\/span> is<\/span> packed<\/span>. <\/span>Besides<\/span> the major <\/span>artists<\/span> who perform\u00a0here<\/span> every<\/span> year<\/span>, the festival <\/span>offers<\/span> a <\/span>rich<\/span> program<\/span> featuring <\/span>smaller<\/span> artists<\/span>, plus a <\/span>couple<\/span> of stages <\/span>that<\/span> host<\/span> talks and workshops. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fast-forwarding a <\/span>few<\/span> hours, a <\/span>concert<\/span> is<\/span> in full swing. <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> standing <\/span>at<\/span> the back, <\/span>where<\/span> small groups of people are <\/span>sitting<\/span> on the ground, and <\/span>there<\/span> are <\/span>lots<\/span> of people <\/span>around<\/span> me drinking and <\/span>talking<\/span>. A girl and a boy <\/span>appear<\/span> to be <\/span>having<\/span> an <\/span>argument<\/span>, <\/span>focused<\/span> only<\/span> on <\/span>each<\/span> other<\/span>. <\/span>They<\/span> don\u2019t<\/span> notice<\/span> the <\/span>young<\/span> woman picking up <\/span>their<\/span> used<\/span> beer<\/span> cups<\/span> from the ground. <\/span><\/p>\n

Across<\/span> concerts<\/span>, <\/span>innovation<\/span> panels, and a <\/span>beer-soaked<\/span> routine <\/span>that<\/span> blurs<\/span> the boundaries between<\/span>\u00a0days, <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> emerge <\/span>as<\/span> semi-invisible<\/span> figures<\/span>. <\/span>They<\/span> navigate the crowds with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>agility<\/span>, <\/span>collecting<\/span> every<\/span> bottle<\/span> they<\/span> can <\/span>find<\/span>. <\/span>They<\/span> seem<\/span> serious<\/span> and <\/span>strategic<\/span> in their work<\/span>: <\/span>knowing<\/span> that<\/span> crashed<\/span> or <\/span>broken<\/span> objects<\/span> have<\/span> little<\/span> to no <\/span>value<\/span>, <\/span>they<\/span> try<\/span> to <\/span>blow<\/span> air back <\/span>into<\/span> the <\/span>bottle<\/span> or <\/span>reshape<\/span> crooked<\/span> cans<\/span> before<\/span> adding<\/span> them<\/span> to <\/span>their<\/span> growing<\/span> trash <\/span>bags<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

It<\/span> is<\/span> Day 1, and I <\/span>am<\/span> already<\/span> struck<\/span> by the <\/span>sheer<\/span> amount<\/span> of trash and <\/span>dirt<\/span> everywhere<\/span>. Part of the Orange Feeling <\/span>seems<\/span> to involve a quasi-<\/span>hedonistic<\/span> approach<\/span> to living, <\/span>where<\/span> dealing with\u00a0trash <\/span>becomes<\/span> something<\/span> too<\/span> dull<\/span> to <\/span>bother<\/span> with: the <\/span>empty<\/span> beer<\/span> can <\/span>is<\/span> simply<\/span> left<\/span> on the ground, so <\/span>we<\/span> can <\/span>all<\/span> move<\/span> on. <\/span><\/p>\n

This<\/span> feeling <\/span>is<\/span> confirmed<\/span> moments <\/span>later<\/span>: <\/span>next<\/span> to the stage, I <\/span>meet<\/span> Lars, a <\/span>twenty-something-year-old<\/span> who<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> attending<\/span> the festival for <\/span>several<\/span> years<\/span>. <\/span>When<\/span> I tell <\/span>him<\/span> that<\/span> I am trying<\/span>\u00a0to <\/span>understand<\/span> more <\/span>about<\/span> the <\/span>role<\/span> of the <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> at<\/span> the festival, <\/span>it<\/span> leaves<\/span> an <\/span>impression<\/span>. He <\/span>says<\/span> that<\/span> no one of <\/span>his<\/span> friends\u2014<\/span>no one\u2014<\/span>thinks<\/span> about<\/span> it<\/span>, <\/span>though<\/span> he <\/span>does<\/span>. He <\/span>acknowledges<\/span> it<\/span> as<\/span> an <\/span>issue<\/span> but<\/span> also<\/span> believes<\/span> that<\/span> no one <\/span>really<\/span> thinks<\/span> of <\/span>it<\/span> as<\/span> being<\/span> one. <\/span>While<\/span> the <\/span>refund<\/span> system <\/span>was<\/span> created<\/span> to <\/span>encourage<\/span> consumers to be <\/span>mindful<\/span> of <\/span>their<\/span> trash, <\/span>among<\/span> some of the <\/span>young<\/span> Danes, <\/span>there<\/span> seems<\/span> to be a <\/span>sense<\/span> that<\/span> picking up <\/span>bottles<\/span>\u2014<\/span>even<\/span>their<\/span> own<\/span>\u2014and <\/span>exchanging<\/span> them<\/span> is<\/span> kind<\/span> of <\/span>shameful<\/span>. <\/span>Ironically<\/span>, <\/span>throwing<\/span> it<\/span> away<\/span> becomes<\/span> a status symbol. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> an <\/span>unspoken<\/span> signal<\/span>: <\/span>I <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> need<\/span> the money.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Picture from day 1 at Roskilde Festival 2024. Even though the gates have been open for less than 24 hours, the trash is already noticeable. There are only a few bottles lying around\u2014the collectors must have picked them up already.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sometime<\/span> later<\/span>, I <\/span>speak<\/span> with Marlene. Marlene <\/span>is<\/span> from Roskilde and <\/span>is<\/span> in <\/span>her<\/span> 50s. Roskilde Festival <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span> just for <\/span>younger<\/span> people; <\/span>it<\/span> also<\/span> attracts<\/span> a <\/span>significant<\/span> number<\/span> of \u201c<\/span>veterans<\/span>\u201d who return<\/span>\u00a0year<\/span> after <\/span>year<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed<\/span>, Marlene <\/span>has<\/span> been<\/span> attending<\/span> the festival <\/span>since<\/span> the 1980s. <\/span>When<\/span> I <\/span>bring<\/span> up the <\/span>topic<\/span> of <\/span>bottle<\/span> collection<\/span>, <\/span>she<\/span> reminisces<\/span> about<\/span> how<\/span>, <\/span>as<\/span> a <\/span>little<\/span> girl, <\/span>she<\/span> would<\/span> enter<\/span> the festival grounds and <\/span>collect<\/span> beer<\/span> cans<\/span> to <\/span>exchange<\/span>. Back <\/span>then<\/span>, <\/span>collecting<\/span> bottles<\/span> was<\/span> something<\/span> kids did\u00a0to <\/span>earn<\/span> extra pocket money\u2014a far <\/span>cry<\/span> from the situation <\/span>today<\/span>. Marlene <\/span>recognizes<\/span> that<\/span> it is\u00a0because<\/span> of the <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> growing<\/span> size: <\/span>maintaining<\/span> that<\/span> \u201ccommunity <\/span>spirit<\/span>\u201d <\/span>she<\/span> fondly remembers\u00a0is<\/span> impossible<\/span> in a<\/span> temporary city of 130.000 people. <\/span>She<\/span> feels<\/span> that<\/span> something needs\u00a0to <\/span>change<\/span>. About <\/span>what<\/span>, <\/span>she<\/span> is<\/span> not<\/span> sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While walking around the campsite, I spot a camp that decided to celebrate the drinking culture by using beer-related trash as their flag. Held in place by a few empty cans, a discarded Tuborg 18-pack plastic wrapper and a red 60L trash bag flutter in the wind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Another<\/span> thing<\/span> you<\/span> won\u2019t<\/span> often<\/span> see<\/span> in the marketing <\/span>material<\/span> is<\/span> how<\/span> much<\/span> the <\/span>weather<\/span> can <\/span>shape<\/span> your<\/span> festival <\/span>experience<\/span>\u2014and in <\/span>Denmark<\/span>, <\/span>it<\/span> can make <\/span>all<\/span> the <\/span>difference<\/span>. The summer of<\/span>\u00a02024 <\/span>brought<\/span> rain<\/span> and <\/span>cold<\/span> to the Roskilde Festival. At night, I <\/span>shivered<\/span> in <\/span>my<\/span> tent<\/span> as temperatures\u00a0unexpectedly<\/span> dropped<\/span> to 7\u201310\u00b0C. I think <\/span>about<\/span> how<\/span> I <\/span>would<\/span> have<\/span> never <\/span>imagined<\/span> being<\/span> concerned<\/span> about<\/span> getting<\/span> sick<\/span> at<\/span> a music festival in <\/span>July<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another<\/span> implication<\/span> is<\/span> that<\/span> while<\/span> many<\/span> describe<\/span> the festival <\/span>as<\/span> notoriously<\/span> dusty<\/span>, <\/span>this<\/span> year\u2019s downpours\u00a0turned<\/span> the grounds <\/span>into<\/span> a <\/span>muddy<\/span> hellscape<\/span>. Rubber boots and <\/span>raincoats<\/span> became essential\u00a0gear<\/span>, with festival goers<\/span>\u00a0splashing<\/span> through<\/span> the <\/span>flooded<\/span> terrain<\/span>, making the best of the <\/span>soggy<\/span> chaos<\/span>. Amid <\/span>this<\/span> scene, I <\/span>notice<\/span> bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> moving<\/span> through<\/span> the <\/span>crowd<\/span>. For <\/span>protection<\/span>, <\/span>they<\/span> use trash <\/span>bags<\/span> and whatever <\/span>objects<\/span> they<\/span> can <\/span>find<\/span>. One man <\/span>wears<\/span> a <\/span>makeshift<\/span> plastic<\/span> coat<\/span> branded<\/span> with the <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span> Metro logo, <\/span>while<\/span> most<\/span> rely<\/span> on scarves and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>muddy<\/span> caps<\/span>\u2014<\/span>likely<\/span> scavenged<\/span> from the ground. <\/span>They<\/span> are, <\/span>too<\/span>, festival goers<\/span>, <\/span>expected<\/span> to <\/span>rely<\/span> on <\/span>their<\/span> own<\/span> resources<\/span>. I <\/span>wonder<\/span> how<\/span> they<\/span> are <\/span>managing<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When<\/span> I <\/span>ask<\/span> one of the <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> about<\/span> these<\/span> struggles<\/span>\u2014I <\/span>refer<\/span> to <\/span>him<\/span> as<\/span> Joe<\/span> since<\/span> he <\/span>prefers<\/span> to <\/span>remain<\/span> anonymous<\/span>\u2014he just shakes <\/span>his<\/span> head and <\/span>keeps<\/span> repeating<\/span>, \u201c<\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> shit<\/span>, this year<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span> shit<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>We<\/span> speak<\/span> a mix of <\/span>Italian<\/span> and English: <\/span>Joe<\/span> currently<\/span> lives<\/span> in <\/span>Italy<\/span> and works <\/span>at<\/span> a pizzeria <\/span>near<\/span> Rome. He <\/span>comes<\/span> to the festival <\/span>yearly<\/span> \u201cto make money\u201d and puts in <\/span>his<\/span> hardest effort\u00a0collecting<\/span> bottles<\/span>. On <\/span>average<\/span>, he <\/span>earns<\/span> 1 DKK (0,13 EUR) for <\/span>every<\/span> container or cup he<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>gathers<\/span>. For <\/span>comparison<\/span>, a <\/span>dishwasher<\/span> or <\/span>restaurant<\/span> worker in <\/span>Denmark<\/span> can <\/span>expect<\/span> to <\/span>earn<\/span>130\u2013170 DKK per hour <\/span>before<\/span> taxes. To match <\/span>that<\/span>, <\/span>since<\/span> the <\/span>refund<\/span> is<\/span> tax-free, <\/span>Joe<\/span> would need\u00a0to <\/span>collect<\/span> around<\/span> 75 items per hour\u2014<\/span>not<\/span> counting<\/span> the <\/span>countless<\/span> hours <\/span>spent<\/span> waiting<\/span> in line to <\/span>exchange<\/span> them<\/span>. <\/span>When<\/span> I <\/span>ask<\/span> if<\/span> he <\/span>manages<\/span> to <\/span>sleep<\/span> despite<\/span> the <\/span>cold<\/span> and the <\/span>noise<\/span>, he <\/span>simply<\/span> says<\/span> he <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span> sleep<\/span>, <\/span>only<\/span> works\u2014and <\/span>laughs<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>stoic<\/span> mentality<\/span> of \u201c<\/span>it<\/span> is<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span>\u201d <\/span>is<\/span> an <\/span>invisible<\/span> force <\/span>that<\/span> keeps<\/span> a part of the festival\u2019s waste<\/span>\u00a0cycle<\/span> in <\/span>motion<\/span>. <\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> interesting<\/span> to <\/span>observe<\/span> how<\/span>, <\/span>while<\/span> the \u2018Orange feeling\u2019 <\/span>is<\/span> all<\/span> about liberation, <\/span>it<\/span> seems<\/span> to <\/span>rely<\/span> on a <\/span>dynamic<\/span> that<\/span> is<\/span> far from free. The <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> carefree<\/span> revelry depends\u00a0in part on the <\/span>relentless<\/span> labor<\/span> of <\/span>others<\/span>\u2014a quiet <\/span>contradiction<\/span> in <\/span>its<\/span> ethos.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An overview of the deposit values for different items. While the Pant A, Pant B, Pant C system is the Danish nation-wide standard, Roskilde Festival introduced an internal deposit system\u2014including assigning some sort of monetary compensation (0,2 DKK\u2014equivalent of 0,03 \u20ac) for crushed up and foreign can, normally refused by the Pant machines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Trash <\/span>is<\/span> t<\/span>reasure<\/span>: <\/span>Hanging<\/span> o<\/span>ut <\/span>at<\/span> the <\/span>r<\/span>efund<\/span> s<\/span>tations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even<\/span> though<\/span> Roskilde Festival <\/span>spans<\/span> an impressive 2.500.000 <\/span>square<\/span> meters<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>is<\/span> estimated<\/span>to <\/span>host<\/span> 50.000 <\/span>tents<\/span>, <\/span>there<\/span> are <\/span>only<\/span> three<\/span> refund<\/span> stations, plus one <\/span>Drop&Go<\/span> refund<\/span> machine. <\/span>These<\/span> refund<\/span> stations are the <\/span>main<\/span> stage of <\/span>my<\/span> volunteering<\/span> experience<\/span> supporting<\/span> the bottle collectors<\/span>. The work <\/span>is<\/span> relatively<\/span> centralized<\/span> since<\/span> everyone<\/span> collecting<\/span> will<\/span> need<\/span> to come by one of <\/span>these<\/span> three<\/span> refund<\/span> stations, <\/span>sooner<\/span> or <\/span>later<\/span>, to <\/span>have<\/span> their<\/span> containers <\/span>exchanged<\/span>. <\/span>As<\/span> a <\/span>result<\/span>, I <\/span>feel<\/span> like I <\/span>am<\/span> quickly<\/span> getting<\/span> acquainted<\/span> with the <\/span>collectors<\/span>\u2019 community.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Day 1 is still a quiet night for the \u201cWest City\u201d refund station\u2014the furthest one, located about a 30-minute walk from the festival\u2019s music area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Surprisingly<\/span>, the <\/span>refund<\/span> stations operate <\/span>manually<\/span>. The <\/span>operations<\/span> are <\/span>run<\/span> by youth associations<\/span>\u00a0and <\/span>volunteers<\/span> as<\/span> young<\/span> as<\/span> 17 <\/span>years<\/span> old<\/span>. <\/span>They<\/span> count<\/span> and sort the deposits manually<\/span>, <\/span>then<\/span> upload the money <\/span>digitally<\/span> to the <\/span>user\u2019s<\/span> wristband<\/span>. <\/span>While<\/span> these<\/span> stations are open to <\/span>everyone<\/span>, in practice, <\/span>they<\/span> primarily<\/span> serve the <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>refund<\/span> stations <\/span>have<\/span> adjusted<\/span> their<\/span> opening hours over the <\/span>years<\/span>. <\/span>While<\/span> they<\/span> used<\/span> to stay open <\/span>until<\/span> dawn<\/span>, in 2024, \u201cWest City\u201d and \u201cAgora L\u201d <\/span>operated<\/span> daily<\/span> from 08:00 to 02:00, <\/span>while<\/span> \u201cEast City\u201d <\/span>was<\/span> open from 10:00 to 04:00. <\/span>This<\/span> significantly<\/span> impacts the <\/span>workday<\/span> of the <\/span>collectors<\/span>: daytime <\/span>tends<\/span> to be <\/span>relatively<\/span> quiet, <\/span>but<\/span> the nights are intense, with everyone rushing<\/span>\u00a0to make <\/span>their<\/span> exchange<\/span> before<\/span> the station <\/span>closes<\/span>, <\/span>trying<\/span> to <\/span>maximize<\/span> the \u201cbest hours.\u201d <\/span>As<\/span> the festival progresses, the volume of <\/span>bottles<\/span>, <\/span>aluminum<\/span> cans<\/span>, and <\/span>other<\/span> refundable<\/span> items <\/span>grows<\/span> larger<\/span> and <\/span>larger<\/span>, and the <\/span>handling<\/span> time for <\/span>every<\/span> person<\/span> increases<\/span> proportionally<\/span>\u2014the more containers to <\/span>count<\/span>, the <\/span>longer<\/span> it<\/span> takes, <\/span>especially<\/span> as<\/span> the <\/span>counting<\/span> process<\/span> is<\/span> entirely manual. Dollies and baby <\/span>strollers<\/span> are <\/span>popular<\/span> tools for <\/span>maximizing<\/span> the <\/span>number<\/span> of <\/span>bottles<\/span> a <\/span>collector<\/span> can <\/span>carry<\/span>, and <\/span>gaffer<\/span> tape makes a <\/span>reappearance<\/span>\u2014<\/span>this<\/span> time <\/span>securing<\/span> cans<\/span> for <\/span>transport<\/span>, just <\/span>as<\/span> it<\/span> held<\/span> supplies <\/span>together<\/span> on the way to the festival. Midway <\/span>through<\/span> the festival, people <\/span>typically<\/span> faced<\/span> a 4-6 hour <\/span>wait<\/span> to <\/span>have<\/span> their<\/span> refunds<\/span> counted<\/span>\u2014a necessary step<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>before<\/span> heading<\/span> back \u201con the field\u201d to start the <\/span>process<\/span> all<\/span> over <\/span>again<\/span>. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>The festival <\/span>offers<\/span> numerous<\/span> volunteering<\/span> opportunities<\/span> for <\/span>those<\/span> eager<\/span> to <\/span>contribute<\/span> in <\/span>various<\/span> ways. <\/span>Earlier<\/span> in the text, I <\/span>mentioned<\/span> my<\/span> decision<\/span> to <\/span>volunteer<\/span> to <\/span>get<\/span> closer<\/span> to the <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span>\u2018 <\/span>experience<\/span>. I <\/span>owe<\/span> most<\/span> of <\/span>my<\/span> contact to the social project <\/span>\u201cResponsible <\/span>Refund<\/span>,\u201d<\/span><\/a> a <\/span>grassroots<\/span> volunteer<\/span> initiative<\/span> aiming<\/span> to help and celebrate the <\/span>refund<\/span> collectors during\u00a0the festival. <\/span>Through<\/span> Responsible <\/span>Refund<\/span>, I <\/span>was<\/span> engaged<\/span> as<\/span> an \u201cintercultural mediator<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>Based<\/span> at<\/span> the <\/span>refund<\/span> stations, <\/span>my<\/span> role<\/span> involved<\/span> spending time <\/span>there<\/span>, <\/span>assisting<\/span> the <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> queuing<\/span> with <\/span>any<\/span> questions<\/span> they<\/span> might<\/span> have<\/span>, and <\/span>managing<\/span> potential conflicts. <\/span>This<\/span> was<\/span> a support <\/span>role<\/span> distinct<\/span> from <\/span>that<\/span> of a security <\/span>guard<\/span> or an info point <\/span>representative<\/span>. The <\/span>project\u2019s<\/span> vision <\/span>was<\/span> to bridge the <\/span>often-overlooked<\/span> communication<\/span> gap <\/span>between<\/span> refund<\/span> stations and <\/span>collectors<\/span>. <\/span>Refund<\/span> stations <\/span>were<\/span> responsible<\/span> solely<\/span> for counting bottles<\/span>\u00a0and <\/span>were<\/span> not<\/span> expected<\/span> to <\/span>consider<\/span> the <\/span>challenging<\/span> and <\/span>messy<\/span> conditions<\/span> in which collectors<\/span>\u00a0worked<\/span> or the <\/span>specific<\/span> needs<\/span> they<\/span> might<\/span> have<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>what<\/span> happens<\/span> to <\/span>all<\/span> these<\/span> items after <\/span>they\u2019re<\/span> handed<\/span> over? On the <\/span>final<\/span> day, after a week of music, <\/span>mud<\/span>, and <\/span>refund<\/span> items, I <\/span>speak<\/span> with Janne, a 25-year-old <\/span>student<\/span> and a team leader in one of the <\/span>refund<\/span> stations. He <\/span>explains<\/span> that<\/span> while<\/span> products with the <\/span>Danish<\/span> standard <\/span>refund<\/span>labels \u2018<\/span>Pant<\/span> A,\u2019 \u2018<\/span>Pant<\/span> B,\u2019 \u2018<\/span>Pant<\/span> C\u2019 are <\/span>picked<\/span> up <\/span>daily<\/span>\u2014<\/span>entering<\/span> into<\/span> the <\/span>nationwide<\/span> machine of <\/span>Dansk<\/span> Retursystem<\/span>\u2014the festival-<\/span>specific<\/span> bottles<\/span> and <\/span>cups<\/span> are <\/span>sent<\/span> to a <\/span>washing<\/span> facility to be <\/span>cleaned<\/span> and <\/span>reused<\/span> the following <\/span>year<\/span>. The <\/span>categories<\/span> of items <\/span>that<\/span> neither<\/span> hold<\/span> a <\/span>deposit<\/span>outside<\/span> the festival <\/span>nor<\/span> can be <\/span>reused<\/span>\u2014 like <\/span>crushed<\/span> bottles<\/span> or <\/span>foreign<\/span> beers<\/span>\u2014are <\/span>simply<\/span>gathered<\/span> and <\/span>sent<\/span> to the trash <\/span>recycling<\/span> system. <\/span>However<\/span>, <\/span>at<\/span> Roskilde, <\/span>these<\/span> items <\/span>have<\/span> a <\/span>refund<\/span> value<\/span> priced<\/span> at<\/span> 0,2 DKK (in EUR, 3 cents), <\/span>which<\/span> is<\/span> pretty<\/span> much<\/span> irrelevant<\/span> to the business-<\/span>minded<\/span> collectors<\/span> (and <\/span>understandably<\/span> so). I <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> see<\/span> any<\/span> of <\/span>these<\/span> items in the red <\/span>refund<\/span> bags<\/span> at<\/span> the back of the stations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cBehind the scenes\u201d at a refund station. On the left: each item is counted and sorted into a bag by category. On the right: full trash bags are piled up in the back, waiting for the daily truck pickup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Janne takes pride in the impact of the <\/span>refund<\/span> stations. <\/span>They<\/span> processed<\/span> 2 <\/span>million<\/span> refund<\/span> items in 2024, 2.9 <\/span>million<\/span> the <\/span>year<\/span> before<\/span>. I <\/span>try<\/span> to picture 2 <\/span>million<\/span> beer<\/span> bottles<\/span> in <\/span>my<\/span> mind, <\/span>but<\/span>how<\/span> can I? <\/span>It<\/span> just <\/span>feels<\/span> like <\/span>too<\/span> much<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine<\/span> this<\/span> site <\/span>without<\/span> bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span>. <\/span>As<\/span> festival-<\/span>goers<\/span> drink and <\/span>scatter<\/span> their<\/span> cups around\u00a0like farmers <\/span>planting<\/span> crops<\/span>, the <\/span>discarded<\/span> items <\/span>would<\/span> simply<\/span> pile up, <\/span>turning<\/span> the grounds <\/span>into<\/span> an <\/span>even<\/span> trashier<\/span>\u2014and <\/span>perhaps<\/span> entirely<\/span> unmanageable<\/span>\u2014<\/span>landscape<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The flow of capital <\/span>is<\/span> equally<\/span> striking<\/span>. <\/span>While<\/span> many<\/span> collectors<\/span> prefer<\/span> not<\/span> to <\/span>disclose<\/span> their earnings, word on the street <\/span>claims<\/span> someone<\/span> made 50,000 DKK (<\/span>around<\/span> 6,700 \u20ac) net in just one week. But <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> take <\/span>my<\/span> word for <\/span>it<\/span>\u2014<\/span>let\u2019s<\/span> break <\/span>it<\/span> down. To <\/span>earn<\/span> 50,000 DKK, they would<\/span>\u00a0need<\/span> to make an <\/span>average<\/span> of 7,100 DKK <\/span>daily<\/span>, <\/span>collecting<\/span> about<\/span> 700 items per hour over a 10-hour, non-stop <\/span>workday<\/span>. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> roughly<\/span> 11 items <\/span>every<\/span> single minute. <\/span>While<\/span> this figure\u00a0<\/span>seems<\/span> highly<\/span> unrealistic<\/span>, <\/span>it<\/span> highlights <\/span>how<\/span> the <\/span>blurry<\/span> promise of \u201cgood money\u201d <\/span>persuades<\/span> bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> that<\/span> it\u2019s<\/span> all<\/span> worth<\/span> it<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An <\/span>average<\/span> shift <\/span>is<\/span> generally<\/span> quiet. The <\/span>queue<\/span> moves<\/span> slowly<\/span> as<\/span> collectors<\/span> sit<\/span> on broken camping<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>chairs<\/span>, smoking and <\/span>waiting<\/span> their<\/span> turn. At night, <\/span>many<\/span> huddle<\/span> by the wooden structure<\/span>\u00a0of the <\/span>refund<\/span> station for shelter, <\/span>dozing<\/span> off on the <\/span>damp<\/span> ground. <\/span>When<\/span> their<\/span> turn <\/span>comes<\/span>, <\/span>someone<\/span> in line <\/span>wakes<\/span> them<\/span>, following <\/span>what<\/span> seems<\/span> to be an <\/span>unspoken<\/span> rule of mutual solidarity<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

View of a refund station during the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A \u201c<\/span>village<\/span> feeling\u201d <\/span>lingers<\/span> in the air\u2014<\/span>almost<\/span> no one <\/span>comes<\/span> alone. <\/span>Many<\/span> collectors<\/span>, like <\/span>Joe<\/span>, <\/span>return<\/span> year<\/span> after <\/span>year<\/span>, <\/span>often<\/span> residing<\/span> nearby<\/span> in the <\/span>Copenhagen<\/span> area. I <\/span>speak<\/span> with Prince, <\/span>originally<\/span> from Ghana <\/span>but<\/span> now<\/span> an <\/span>Italian<\/span> resident<\/span>, <\/span>who<\/span> expresses<\/span> his<\/span> frustration<\/span>. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> his<\/span> first time <\/span>at<\/span> the festival, <\/span>lured<\/span> by the promise of \u201cgood money,\u201d <\/span>but<\/span> he <\/span>finds<\/span> the competition overwhelming<\/span>. \u201cThe <\/span>Romanians<\/span> take <\/span>everything<\/span>,\u201d he <\/span>complains<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

He <\/span>refers<\/span> to <\/span>Romani<\/span> families, <\/span>who<\/span> are a <\/span>dominant<\/span> presence<\/span> among<\/span> collectors<\/span>. Tensions simmer<\/span>\u00a0between<\/span> the <\/span>African<\/span> and <\/span>Romani<\/span> groups, <\/span>fueled<\/span> by <\/span>accusations<\/span> of breaking unspoken rules<\/span>, <\/span>such<\/span> as<\/span> waiting<\/span> in line. The <\/span>stakes<\/span> are high\u2014for the <\/span>Romani<\/span>, <\/span>many<\/span> have<\/span> told<\/span> me that this<\/span>\u00a0income<\/span> can support <\/span>their<\/span> families in Romania for <\/span>months<\/span>. <\/span>They<\/span> often<\/span> push<\/span> boundaries<\/span>, cutting in line with <\/span>fresh<\/span> bags<\/span> of <\/span>bottles<\/span> while<\/span> another<\/span> family <\/span>member<\/span> holds<\/span> their<\/span> spot. These moments<\/span>\u00a0of <\/span>conflict<\/span> highlight the <\/span>importance<\/span>, for me, of <\/span>having<\/span> mediators<\/span> present<\/span>, ready to step in <\/span>when<\/span> the <\/span>tone<\/span> becomes<\/span> heated<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

People <\/span>sleep<\/span>, smoke, and chat in <\/span>their<\/span> circles<\/span> of <\/span>crooked<\/span> camping <\/span>chairs<\/span>, <\/span>as<\/span> the festival swirls around<\/span>\u00a0them<\/span>. <\/span>Their<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Invisible<\/span>\u201d <\/span>presence<\/span> is<\/span> an <\/span>essential<\/span> part of the festival <\/span>environment<\/span>. <\/span>Surviving<\/span> on the fringes, <\/span>they<\/span> are, in <\/span>many<\/span> ways, the <\/span>unrecognized<\/span> dustmen<\/span> of the \u2018Orange feeling.\u2019
<\/span><\/p>\n

Outro: the many<\/span> faces<\/span> of the <\/span>refund<\/span> system<\/span><\/h3>\n

Festivals<\/span> can serve <\/span>as<\/span> a window to the future; <\/span>each<\/span> edition<\/span> is<\/span> slightly<\/span> different<\/span>, <\/span>showing<\/span> that change\u00a0is<\/span> both<\/span> possible<\/span> and <\/span>necessary<\/span>. <\/span>These<\/span> values<\/span> have<\/span> shaped<\/span> Roskilde <\/span>Festival\u2019s<\/span> brand, <\/span>but<\/span> as<\/span> my<\/span> week <\/span>at<\/span> Roskilde Festival <\/span>unfolds<\/span>, <\/span>its<\/span> contradictions<\/span> become<\/span> impossible<\/span> to <\/span>ignore<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of <\/span>course<\/span>, Roskilde <\/span>Festival\u2019s<\/span> organizers are <\/span>well<\/span> aware<\/span> of <\/span>its<\/span> environmental<\/span> sustainability issues. <\/span>According<\/span> to Statista<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Denmark<\/span> recently<\/span> ranked<\/span> as<\/span> the top <\/span>waste<\/span> producer per capita in Europe, <\/span>at<\/span> 787 <\/span>kilograms<\/span> per <\/span>inhabitant<\/span>\u2014so <\/span>perhaps<\/span> it<\/span> makes <\/span>sense<\/span> to think that consumerism<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span> engrained<\/span> in the <\/span>country\u2019s<\/span> culture. At Roskilde, the impact of individual behavior<\/span>\u00a0even<\/span> exceeds<\/span> the impact of the <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span> production: <\/span>according<\/span> to reports<\/span><\/a>, this campsite<\/span>\u00a0waste<\/span> makes up 75% of the <\/span>total<\/span> volume of 2,2 <\/span>thousand<\/span> tons of trash <\/span>generated<\/span> by the festival. <\/span>Currently<\/span>, <\/span>it<\/span> is<\/span> common practice for festival goers<\/span>\u00a0to <\/span>leave<\/span> behind<\/span> large amounts of<\/span>\u00a0personal <\/span>belongings<\/span>, <\/span>including<\/span> their<\/span> tents<\/span>, on the site; <\/span>it<\/span> constitutes<\/span> a mass of unrecyclablewastse<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span> can <\/span>only<\/span> end up <\/span>at<\/span> the <\/span>nearest<\/span> incineration<\/span> plant<\/span>. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>There<\/span> are <\/span>already<\/span> plenty<\/span> of case studies and <\/span>research<\/span> available<\/span> online <\/span>about<\/span> Roskilde Festival <\/span>optimal<\/span> waste<\/span> management; the <\/span>real<\/span> challenge <\/span>lies<\/span> in <\/span>changing<\/span> the <\/span>underlying<\/span> culture. Roskilde <\/span>Festival\u2019s<\/span> current<\/span> attitude<\/span> towards<\/span> consumerism<\/span> focuses<\/span> on \u201c<\/span>influencing<\/span> behavior<\/span>and <\/span>inspiring<\/span>.\u201d Some of the <\/span>initiatives<\/span> that<\/span> the festival <\/span>has<\/span> been<\/span> taking<\/span> in <\/span>recent<\/span> years<\/span> have included\u00a0a <\/span>dedicated<\/span> page on <\/span>environmental<\/span> responsibility<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>among<\/span> others<\/span>) on <\/span>its<\/span> website, the <\/span>creation<\/span> of a \u201c<\/span>Circular<\/span> Lab<\/span><\/a>\u201d to <\/span>provide<\/span> a PR <\/span>platform<\/span> to <\/span>circularity-focused<\/span> startups, and the establishment of <\/span>eco-<\/span>conscious<\/span> campsite<\/span> communities<\/span><\/a>\u2014\u201c<\/span>Leave<\/span> No Trace Camp,\u201d \u201c<\/span>Clean<\/span>Out <\/span>Loud<\/span> Camp\u201d <\/span>and, <\/span>starting<\/span> in 2022, \u201cCommon Ground\u201d\u2014<\/span>where<\/span> people <\/span>would<\/span> access <\/span>through<\/span> an <\/span>application<\/span> process<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

POV: You are entering the Circular Lab. As the sign suggests, a \u201cgreen future\u201d awaits you behind the gate\u2014and you are expected to participate actively in it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nevertheless<\/span>, <\/span>these<\/span> communities, <\/span>which<\/span> create a sort of <\/span>counterculture<\/span> within<\/span> the festival, <\/span>remain<\/span> a <\/span>minority<\/span>. The event <\/span>primarily<\/span> relies<\/span> on <\/span>its<\/span> own<\/span> grand <\/span>cleaning<\/span> machine<\/span> activated<\/span> in the last <\/span>few<\/span> days, with trucks and heavy <\/span>machinery<\/span> going<\/span> around<\/span> the <\/span>campsite<\/span>. And <\/span>it<\/span> moves swiftly: on <\/span>July<\/span> 19th, <\/span>less<\/span> than<\/span> two<\/span> weeks after the festival <\/span>closed<\/span>, I <\/span>visited<\/span> the site, and <\/span>everything<\/span> was<\/span> spotless<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It<\/span> is<\/span> also<\/span> worth<\/span> commenting<\/span> on <\/span>how<\/span> the management <\/span>appears<\/span> to <\/span>acknowledge<\/span> the <\/span>presence<\/span> of <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span>, <\/span>as<\/span> the <\/span>refund<\/span> stations\u2019 <\/span>operations<\/span> are <\/span>designed<\/span> to accommodate the <\/span>collectors<\/span>\u2019 workflow <\/span>rather<\/span> than<\/span> focusing<\/span> solely<\/span> on <\/span>individual<\/span> customers. <\/span>Despite<\/span> that<\/span>, no <\/span>meaningful<\/span> \u201cbenefits\u201d are <\/span>provided<\/span>. For <\/span>example<\/span>, <\/span>providing<\/span> a <\/span>quieter<\/span> resting<\/span> area for bottle collectors<\/span>\u2014<\/span>something<\/span> that<\/span> already<\/span> happens<\/span> for the festival <\/span>volunteers<\/span>\u2014<\/span>could<\/span> be a positive step. <\/span>Currently<\/span>, <\/span>they<\/span> are <\/span>left<\/span> to <\/span>sleep<\/span> at<\/span> the <\/span>main<\/span> campsite<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A glimpse of waste management at the festival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, the systems and <\/span>structures<\/span> that<\/span> festivals<\/span> rely<\/span> on are <\/span>shaped<\/span> by their surroundings<\/span>, <\/span>meaning<\/span> festivals<\/span> often<\/span> reflect<\/span> the <\/span>same<\/span> systemic<\/span> problems<\/span> as<\/span> society <\/span>at<\/span> large. <\/span>It<\/span> is<\/span> fascinating<\/span> to <\/span>observe<\/span> the <\/span>behavioral<\/span> differences<\/span> festivals<\/span> can <\/span>inspire<\/span> and to consider which<\/span>\u00a0behaviors<\/span> are\u2014or <\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span>\u2014<\/span>supported<\/span> by <\/span>their<\/span> specific<\/span> systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trash <\/span>is<\/span> a <\/span>significant<\/span> issue<\/span> at<\/span> the festival, one <\/span>that<\/span> the <\/span>largely<\/span> unacknowledged<\/span> collectors<\/span> play a <\/span>crucial<\/span> role<\/span> in <\/span>managing<\/span>. The \u2018Orange feeling\u2019 <\/span>thrives<\/span> on the idea of <\/span>freedom<\/span> and community, <\/span>yet<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> built<\/span> on <\/span>contradictions<\/span>. <\/span>While<\/span> festival-<\/span>goers<\/span> celebrate <\/span>liberation<\/span>, the <\/span>invisible<\/span> labor<\/span> of <\/span>bottle<\/span> collectors<\/span> plays an <\/span>essential<\/span> role<\/span> in <\/span>maintaining<\/span> the <\/span>festival\u2019s<\/span>cleanliness<\/span> and <\/span>sustainability<\/span>. <\/span>Their<\/span> overlooked<\/span> efforts<\/span> expose<\/span> a <\/span>deeper<\/span> tension<\/span>: the festival\u2019s ethos<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>relies<\/span> on systems <\/span>that<\/span> marginalize<\/span> those<\/span> who<\/span> sustain<\/span> it<\/span>. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Roskilde Festival <\/span>might<\/span> have<\/span> grown<\/span> to the point of <\/span>benefiting<\/span> from policy <\/span>interventions<\/span>, just like a <\/span>real<\/span> city. <\/span>As<\/span> it<\/span> continues<\/span> to navigate <\/span>its<\/span> complexities<\/span> and <\/span>strives<\/span> to <\/span>align<\/span> more closely with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>its<\/span> values<\/span>, <\/span>acknowledging<\/span> and <\/span>addressing<\/span> these<\/span> underlying<\/span> dynamics <\/span>could<\/span> be the <\/span>next<\/span>step in <\/span>aligning<\/span> its<\/span> ideals<\/span> further<\/span> with <\/span>its<\/span> reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

G<\/span>allery<\/span> of<\/span> pictures from the last day and after closing<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n

Trash is normalized: on their last day, a group of young girls hang out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After the campsite closes on Sunday morning, the sheer amount of things left behind is astonishing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On their last day, a group of young guys hangs out behind a fence creatively constructed from camping equipment and\u2014you\u2019ve guessed it\u2014gaffer tape.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Waste after the festival closes. Above: Camp West. Below: Camp East.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This article was published under the Come Together<\/a> journalism fellowship programme organized by Gerador<\/a>. The article was originally published by Kurziv<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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[ad_1] A regular Wednesday afternoon at Roskilde Festival\u2019s central refund station. Dealing with hundreds of items for each person, the wait in line usually lasts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":278350,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278349"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/278350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}