Since the very first edition the organizers of the SXM Festival have sought to develop and maintain a sustainable event.
Every inch and element of our venues are carefully crafted months ahead by international decor artists integrating recycling materials and natural elements as much as possible.
Though the festival takes place every March, efforts continue year-round to promote respectful tourism, to contribute to the culture and environment of the Island, and to make a continuous positive impact.
Innovative initiatives such Go Paperless, Bye Bye Plastic, Energy Saving LED and solar lights helps SXM Festival to fulfill the mission to become increasingly sustainable year after year.
A No Trace Policy ensures every venue is transformed into a more beautiful place at the end of each event.
Though the festival takes place every March, efforts continue year-round to promote respectful tourism, to contribute to the culture and environment of the Island, and to make a continuous positive impact.
Innovative initiatives such Go Paperless, Bye Bye Plastic, Energy Saving LED and solar lights helps SXM Festival to fulfill the mission to become increasingly sustainable year after year.
A No Trace Policy ensures every venue is transformed into a more beautiful place at the end of each event.
BYE BYE PLASTIC
After banning straws in 2017 we then began working hard to eliminate single-use plastic at the event. All of our food and beverage packaging is now 100% biodegradable.
RFID PAPERLESS SYSTEM
In 2019, SXM Festival went completely paperless with an RFID wristband and cashless system. This easy to use reduces the need for paper during the event and makes the entire festival more secure, practical and easy for attendees.
LIGHT FANTASTIC
We purchased thousands of LED and solar lights to illuminate the site while minimizing the impact of our energy consumption on the Island’s resources and the environment as a whole.
Solar lights power our parking for over a thousand cars and also the 400m public walking access to the festival.
PLANTING TREES
In 2019, we planted about 600 palm trees (Foxtail Palm, Coconut Palm, Chinese Fan Palm, Adonidia Triple and Coconut Green Malayan) of appropriate species, carefully selected for a positive impact on existing local flora and fauna.
CHILDREN
A huge priority for the SXM Festival is supporting local schools and school children. Over the years we have donated 500 beach towels, two ping pong tables, school sports and computer equipment and we have rebuilt a basketball court.
SXM DOET PARTNERSHIP
On the community side, we partnered up with the SXM Doet, the largest volunteer event in the Dutch Kingdom taking place at the same time as the festival. We promote the various volunteer opportunities to our festival attendees and send our organizers and artists to help out.
The SXM DOET initiative started over 14 years ago, firstly in the Netherlands, with the Dutch Caribbean islands joining in shortly thereafter. Our partnership encourages the SXM Festival family to roll up their sleeves. A very fulfilling and gratifying feeling to get everyone involved, and ensures that community-serving organizations get the help they need and deserve.
LA RÉSERVE NATURELLE
In 2020, SXM Festival partnered with La Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin, a very active non-profit organization that protects marine life. Videos of the Caribbean Sea were funded by SXM Festival, with divers exploring the world beneath the waves to create beautiful videos.
LEAVE NO TRACE POLICY
We are proud to call our festival “leave no trace” event. Every site is carefully prepared, cleaned and cleaned again to leave it as beautiful as it was, or even more beautiful (if that’s even possible).
