Festivals and sustainability don’t often go hand in hand, but our Greek chapter, Kathe Kouti Metrai, proves otherwise. In a powerful collaboration with the Athenian Brewery, the programme’s innovative drink can recycling solutions have expanded into the Greek carnival season, bringing more sustainable celebrations to two of Greece’s most famous carnivals: The Carnival of Xanthi and the Carnival of Rethymno.
Xanthi Carnival
As Greece’s second-largest carnival, Xanthi Carnival attracts thousands of visitors ready to enjoy the festivities. The event welcomed our recycling ambassadors for a second year, who actively engaged with the crowd to encourage responsible waste disposal. Working alongside the Municipality of Xanthi, Kathe Kouti Metrai aimed to simplify and promote the separate collection of drink cans, ensuring that sustainability remained a central theme throughout the event.
One of the standout features of this activation was the installation of giant metal letter bins spelling out ‘ΞΑΝΘΗ’ strategically placed near the main stage. These striking installations served as recycling points and became iconic photo spots, combining environmental awareness with carnival culture. Throughout the grand parade, our recycling ambassadors moved through the crowds with their signature backpacks, making it easy for locals and tourists to recycle their drink cans on the go. The impact of this initiative grows beyond the event since each can recycled at the carnival can be back on the shelf within 60 days, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Rethymno Carnival
Over on the island of Crete, Kathe Kouti Metrai marked the third consecutive year of collaboration with the Municipality of Rethymnon, solidifying efforts to reduce the event’s environmental footprint. During the carnival’s grand parade, a dedicated team of recycling ambassadors ensured that festival-goers could enjoy the festivities while easily recycling their drink cans on the go. In addition to the recycling efforts, our team educated people on the long-term benefits of aluminium recycling, emphasizing its key role in energy conservation and natural resource preservation—recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy required to produce new cans from raw materials.
One of the most striking features of the Rethymno Carnival was the installation of giant metal letter bins spelling out #RETHYMNO along the old city’s seaside. The installation not only serves as a recycling station but also stands out as a powerful symbol of aluminium’s infinite possibilities. The impact of this initiative extends well beyond the carnival itself; the #RETHYMNO installation will remain in the city as a permanent recycling station, representing a practical solution and a testament to how small, mindful actions can lead to a real change.