Sustainable events in Colombia: the Vive Claro success story

In today's sustainability era, running large shows has gone from a logistical challenge to an opportunity for systemic transformation. On 16 May 2026, the Vive Claro venue was not only home to Ed Sheeran's packed concert in Bogotá: it established itself as a benchmark for environmental management at mass events by achieving the Gold Category under the rigorous Zero Waste Events standard, Version 3.0.

With an exceptional score of 91.9 points out of 100, this milestone shows that mass culture and sustainable events in Colombia are not only compatible but, when brought together strategically, generate incalculable value for the city and the sector.

A 360° view of environmental management at mass events

Unlike traditional approaches, the certification awarded by Global Zero Waste went beyond the day of the show. The assessment covered the event's full cycle — build-up, operation and break-down — between 11 and 20 May 2026. That scope made it possible to audit not only the flow of the audience, but also the traceability of the materials used to build the stage and in the clean-up afterwards.

The process was based on meeting 31 technical requirements, with full performance in 92% of the criteria. Among the highlights:

• Integrated waste management: thanks to coordination with authorised operators and the use of internal collection points, the concert recorded 100% real recycling and 73.3% general recycling, figures that set a precedent for sustainability at concerts.
• Culture and leadership: the environmental policy was managed from senior level, involving every operational tier through a network of "eco-guardians" and ongoing training programmes.
• Statistical traceability: every waste stream was measured and catalogued, allowing decisions based on precise data to reduce the sector's environmental footprint.

What lay behind the Zero Waste Events certification

The success achieved in delivering these sustainable events in Colombia was not down to chance, but to robust operational protocols. According to the Global Zero Waste assessment report, the key strategies included:

1. Separation-at-source protocols: barriers to sorting were removed by installing strategically placed recycling stations and clear signage.
2. Technical reclassification: a second-filter process was set up at the collection points to make sure recoverable materials did not end up in landfill.
3. Communication with partners: suppliers were brought into the corporate environmental policy, with clear clauses on material handling from the moment the build-up was planned.
4. Continuous improvement cycle: following Standard V.3, post-event closing sessions were held to identify gaps and opportunities, turning the experience into a lesson learned for future shows.

A commitment to the future of the cultural industry

Luz Angélica Rey, sustainability manager at Vive Claro, stressed the importance of the achievement:

"This recognition confirms that live entertainment can also be a platform for driving sustainable transformation. At Vive Claro we work so that every experience is memorable for the audience, but also responsible towards the city, its resources and the environment. Reaching the Gold Category fills us with pride, but above all it commits us to keep raising the standard of environmental management at mass events in the country".

Vive Claro's recognition is a call to action for the whole industry. Adopting international standards not only eases the pressure on final disposal systems: it strengthens institutional reputation and creates a deep connection with an increasingly aware audience. This success story shows that the future of large shows lies not only in the artist line-up, but in the ability to offer experiences that care for, include and transform the territory.

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