Many companies, products and events are turning "green" these days, and Summerfest is no exception. With the addition of several new features, and the replacement of a few old ones, Summerfest is doing its part to reduce the festival's environmental impact.

One of the biggest changes this year is the redesign and rebuild of the Harley Roadhouse Stage by Harley Davidson. In a project that began last fall, efforts were made to recycle steel, asphalt and copper from the demolition and incorporate nearly 400 tons of recycled asphalt into the new construction.

The stage was built by Hunzinger Construction, a Waukesha company that has been recognized for environmentally friendly practices including exploring biodiesel options, hosting a successful green building conference and diverting construction materials from landfills to new developments.

Hunzinger estimates it recycled more than 17 tons of materials from the previous Harley stage either through Waste Management procedures or City Wide Recycling. Not only was the company able to recycle materials but, in the end, nearly 83 percent of the materials reused for the Harley Roadhouse were made from recycled resources.

Harley's new "green" stage may be the largest environmentally friendly act on the grounds but it certainly isn't the only one. The General Motors stage located at the mid-gate promotes a developing corporate mission for biodiesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. Exhibitors like Burt's Bees and Focus on Energy promote both natural and efficient ways for visitors to "green" their homes and their lives.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District and Milorganite sponsored a ground's planting day this past spring and adorned gardens with small signs acknowledging participating schools as well as informing festival goers on practical "green" efforts.

This year also brings the festival's first test of waterless urinals. With the support of Kohler Co., Summerfest is testing several waterless urinals; a move that could potentially save over 40,000 gallons of water each year.

While contracted companies bring green products to the festival, Summerfest has also worked to "green" up the grounds. Recycling containers for plastic bottles were added throughout the grounds; a move that Summerfest hopes will increase plastic recycling on the part of both vendors and visitors.

Other initiatives include a new energy efficient LED sign at the north gate, new water heaters, shower heads and sink aerators in the Marcus Amphitheater and occupancy sensors in the bathrooms of the administration building.