Once again, we proved that fun and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand at the EXIT Festival. Over four unforgettable days, Svaka limenka se računa, our Serbian local chapter, joined forces with the Green EXIT platform, Ball Corporation, Heineken, and Coca-Cola to put drink cans at the heart of the festival’s recycling efforts.
In total, nearly 50,000 pieces of packaging were collected for recycling, with aluminium cans leading the way, making up almost half of that number.
Thanks to the combined impact of TOMRA’s reverse vending machines and the Smart Flex Return system—an innovative mobile setup featuring backpack scanners carried by our programme’s 40 recycling ambassadors—thousands of festivalgoers were encouraged to recycle their empty aluminium cans right on the spot. Their efforts were rewarded instantly: over 7,700 cold drinks were distributed in return for returned cans, making the aluminium can the main “currency” for refreshment across the site.
Creative installations amplified the message. The Every Can Counts #PixelCan, a large mosaic built entirely from empty cans, became one of EXIT’s most iconic photo spots. Meanwhile, a glowing LED metal letter installation lit up the Petrovaradin Fortress, drawing attention to the importance of recycling and circularity.
The call to “BE THE RECYCLING SUPERSTAR” echoed across the fortress, as young people proudly stepped up to show they care about the planet and believe in a future where every can truly counts.