March 27, 28, 29 – 2026 
Waste Reduction
We’ve implemented 19 INITIATIVES to reduce waste at its source and responsibly manage the waste we do create. Waste reduction initiatives at Ultra have diverted over 293K pounds of waste and reduced 2.1 Million single-use plastic items from Miami’s landfills since 2019! Here are some highlights from what we’re doing and how you can join us in managing your waste responsibly.
Reducing bar waste
Our bar service has not used straws or napkins since 2019 to completely eliminate these beverage waste streams! An estimated 360K straws have been avoided since 2019. Additionally, we’ve transitioned all plastic cups to paper with the exception of bottle service cups, which have been switched to compostable bioplastic and will be collected by our composting partner, Renuable! An estimated 900K plastic cups have been avoided since 2019.
Recycling right
Look out for the Clean Vibes color-coded waste stations and follow signage to properly separate trash and recyclables. Beer & soft drinks in aluminum cans, as well as plastic water and sports drink bottles, should always be recycled at Ultra. Have a chat with our “trash talkers” to learn how to recycle right and reduce waste destined for landfills! Our staff, artists and crews also recycle behind the scenes. Since 2019, we’ve recycled over 207K pounds of material with a 100% acceptance rate at our local Materials Recovery Facility!
Recycling even the tough stuff
Soft plastics, such as bags and wraps, are considered a hard-to-recycle material – but that’s no problem for the waste experts at Lady Green Recycling! These materials will be processed at their local facility.
Returning glass to nature
This year, glass will be processed locally by the experts at Glass for Life, who pulverize glass into sand that may be used for coastal restoration or flood mitigation efforts in Florida.
Using only sustainable foodservice wares
Hungry? Our plastic and styrofoam FREE food vendors got you covered! All Ultra food vendors have switched to sustainable, backyard compostable foodservice wares… eliminating all styrofoam, plastics, and bioplastics! Behind the scenes, our staff catering is plastic-free, too. These initiatives have helped eliminate 88% of the single-use plastic types previously used at the festival!
Providing free water refill stations
Water stations have eliminated over 842K single-use plastic bottles at Ultra! PLEASE bring your own security-approved hydration pack, or purchase one onsite at Shop Ultra, so you can stay hydrated while reducing single-use plastics.
Expanding our composting program
Keep an eye out for NEW Clean Vibes compost bins in certain food and beverage service areas! Now, you can participate in our composting program by placing any uneaten food as well as your food and beverage service items into these color-coded bins. Behind the scenes, food vendors and staff caterers will continue to collect all food prep scraps for compost to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and re-introduce nutrients into local soil. Since 2019, we’ve composted over 8.6K pounds of food. This expansion combined with our food rescue program is intended to capture and repurpose a vast majority of the food waste previously created.
Donating supplies to local communities
We’re looking for opportunities to donate certain materials and supplies after the event, in order to give back to our local communities and divert waste from the landfill! Since 2022, this initiative has donated over 7.5K pounds of supplies to our community. Contact: [email protected] if your community organization may be a good candidate for donations.
Creatively repurposing wood
We’re continuing our partnership with Recreate Ur World, a creative reuse platform that connects artists to materials. Wood that can not be reused by our construction teams will be available for reuse by local artists or diverted from the landfill by a local landscaping and mulching service. We will continue exploring opportunities to repurpose these materials in innovative ways. Contact: [email protected] if you know of an organization or artist who may be interested in giving these materials a new home!
Recycling cooking oil
We donate our vendors’ used cooking oil to partners that recycle it into biodiesel. Cooking oil is a valuable resource that, when recycled instead of discarded, reduces emissions from waste, reduces our dependence on petroleum fuel sources, and contributes to clean air. Since 2022, this initiative has recycled over 7.7K pounds of oil into biodiesel.
Turning signage into merchandise
We’re introducing a new limited edition merchandise item – wallets upcycled from last year’s vinyl signage! This process turns a previously linear supply chain into a circular system, when what would have been waste comes back as your merch! Don’t miss this opportunity for you to take home a piece of Ultra history sustainably, available for purchase from Shop Ultra!
Shifting towards sustainable merchandise policies
Our merchandise team has requested that all vendors no longer line their merchandise in plastic bags and has fully eliminated plastic bags for shoppers! These simple shifts will reduce thousands of plastic bags from the waste stream. If you need a bag, paper ones are available upon request only – our staff will not auto-bag your swag!
The below Climate Action initiative reduces waste too!
Rescuing food and supporting communities in need
Our team and volunteers will collect any rescuable food from vendors and catering to support Miami Rescue Mission, our partnering local homeless outreach center. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions from food waste in landfills while supporting those in need in our community! Since 2022, this initiative has donated over 46.5K pounds of food and beverages to community partners.