Festival hygiene

Jamie Woodhall, Technical and Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene on how organisers are helping to stay hygienic at festivals and large public events

With summer well underway, festival season is back in full swing. From Glastonbury to Reading and Bestival, crowds are gathering once again to enjoy live music, community spirit and hopefully a few sunny days. But while the music and atmosphere naturally take centre stage, there’s a vital behind the scenes operation that helps to keep festivals safe and enjoyable – hygiene.

For event organisers, maintaining high hygiene standards in unpredictable, high-footfall environments is no small task. Whether it’s managing hand hygiene, surface cleanliness, or waste disposal, a robust hygiene strategy is key to minimising health risks and ensuring a positive experience for festivalgoers.

UNDERSTANDING THE HYGIENE RISKS

The most common health issues at festivals include sunburn, fatigue, colds, what has been termed by some as ‘festival flu’ and outbreaks of sickness or diarrhoea.

Hands are a natural breeding ground for bacteria and one of the principal carriers of disease-causing germs. At a festival, where attendees are spending time in shared facilities, germs can pass far more easily from one person to another through contact with contaminated surfaces. In places like the washroom, where many people will be touching the same door handle, or even at food stalls where people will be using the same condiment bottles, the risk of illness from cross contamination is significantly higher.

It might seem obvious, but special care needs to be taken to ensure that all facilities and portaloos have hygiene stations for festivalgoers to be able to wash their hands regularly, and certainly before eating, after using the toilet and after handling rubbish.

THE REQUIRED FACILITIES

Effective facilities management is central to the smooth running of any outdoor event. Organisers must ensure that there are sufficient toilets, handwashing stations, and water points to meet the needs of the crowd, and that these facilities are restocked and maintained throughout the duration of the festival.

Portable toilets should be equipped with soap dispensers, running water where possible and effective hand drying solutions. Wet hands can transfer germs far more easily than dry ones, so providing paper towels or hand dryers is a key part of limiting bacterial spread.

In areas where plumbing is not feasible, high-quality alcohol based hand sanitiser stations offer a practical alternative. When placed at strategic locations such as food areas, entry and exit points, and near communal seating, they help promote good hygiene habits across the festival site.

SURFACE HYGIENE IN SHARED SPACES

In high traffic areas, particularly washrooms, surface hygiene becomes a critical concern. Shared surfaces such as toilet seats, handles, and dispensers can harbour bacteria if not regularly disinfected.

Providing antibacterial surface wipes within toilet cubicles empowers attendees to clean surfaces before and after use. This simple addition encourages shared responsibility and helps maintain higher hygiene standards throughout the event.

EFFECTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

Keeping facilities clean and free from waste is another crucial element. Overflowing bins or improperly discarded paper towels can lead to unsanitary conditions and contribute to the spread of bacteria.

Making sure that waste bins are appropriately placed, clearly marked and emptied regularly helps keep washroom areas cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.

SANITARY PRODUCTS AND SANITARY BINS

Creating a positive and inclusive washroom experience is essential at any large-scale event, and this includes meeting the hygiene needs of those who menstruate. While most attendees will arrive prepared, there will inevitably be instances where individuals find themselves in need of additional sanitary products during a festival.

Offering free sanitary products across festival sites promotes health and comfort but also demonstrates a clear commitment to equality and the wellbeing of all attendees. Equally important is the provision of suitable disposal facilities. Sanitary bins should be present in male and female washrooms to support the discreet and hygienic disposal of menstrual and incontinence products. Without adequate waste infrastructure, washroom cleanliness can suffer, along with the overall festival experience.

By planning inclusive hygiene solutions from the outset, event organisers can help to create a festival environment that supports the wellbeing of everyone on site.

LOOKING AHEAD

As this year’s festival season unfolds, it’s an ideal time for organisers to reflect on how hygiene practices can be integrated more effectively into future event planning. From robust hand hygiene systems to smart waste disposal and inclusive washroom facilities, hygiene plays a fundamental role in delivering safe, enjoyable experiences.

With the right strategy, good hygiene does not need to be a compromise. It can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of an event, supporting not just health and safety, but the lasting memories that make festival season so special.