The National Theatre of Northern Greece, our Greek chapter Kathe Kouti Metrai and NYMFI beer are joining forces once again at Thessaloniki’s Forest Festival, while supporting the SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari.
For the second year running, the National Theatre of Northern Greece, Kathe Kouti Metrai and NYMFI beer are renewing their partnership, proving that sustainability and clean public spaces go hand in hand with culture.
Following the positive response to the 2025 pilot project, the initiative returns this year for the entire summer season. Its aim is to inspire audiences to recycle their drink cans and help keep valuable materials in circulation, while reducing the environmental footprint of every event.
The first awareness activation took place on Monday, June 8th, at the Earth Theatre (Theatro Gis). Through September, visitors at both the Forest Theatre (Theatro Dasous) and the Earth Theatre will have the opportunity to recycle the cans consumed during concerts and theatrical performances. To make drink can recycling easy and visible for visitors, impressive metal installation bins spelling out the initials “ΚΘΒΕ” have been placed at the entrances of both theatres. At the same time, Kathe Kouti Metrai recycling ambassadors, equipped with their signature green backpacks, will be among the crowd at selected concerts to inform the public and collect cans on the go.
Asterios Peltekis, Artistic Director of NTNG, stated: “Theatre must listen to the needs of society and the planet. With this new initiative, we turn an evening out for entertainment into an act of environmental responsibility. By placing dedicated recycling points in our theatres, we invite the audience to become our active allies. A metal can is not waste; it is a new raw material. At the National Theatre of Northern Greece, we believe that protecting the environment is a matter of culture, and we make it part of our daily practice.”
“We believe that enjoyment and responsibility can coexist. Through this initiative, we encourage the audience to enjoy the magic of theatre and music while protecting the environment and contributing to an important social cause,” noted Lazaros Vogiatzoglou, Sponsorships & Events Area Manager at Athenian Brewery.
“Every summer, thousands of drink cans are consumed at concerts and cultural events. When recycled, aluminium can be back on the shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days, ready to begin the cycle again. Activations like this help turn awareness into action and demonstrate how cultural institutions, citizens and brands can work together to keep valuable materials in the loop and build lasting recycling habits,” said Eirini Topouzidou, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts Greece (Kathe Kouti Metrai).
Recycling for a good cause
If you believe in the magic of recycling, nothing is impossible. A small change in our daily habits, like recycling a drink can, can create a positive impact on both the planet and society.
Every can recycled during this year’s Forest Theatre Festival helps reduce CO₂ emissions and saves 95% of the energy required for primary aluminium production. By keeping this valuable material in circulation, visitors are contributing to a more circular future while supporting an important social cause.
All collected cans will be delivered to Elval, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor, for recycling, helping keep valuable aluminium in the loop. And all proceeds will be donated to support the SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari.
Watch the highlights :