Environmental Responsibility
For over ten years now, MUTEK has been taking concrete actions to reduce our environmental impact
In constant learning, we are proud to explore the tools, opinions, and options at our disposal to better understand this impact and to develop as a responsible event.
Supported by local and international partners, our transition has accelerated since 2021 thanks to the involvement of engaged audiences, a trained and aware production team, and an action plan integrated into event implementation.
In 2023, MUTEK was awarded the BNQ Level 3 standard and won the Grand Vivat award for responsible events. While these efforts are recognized, these distinctions are above all a means to affirm our approach and continue the development of a responsible event.
Reducing waste materials
Every year, MUTEK seeks to reduce the amount of waste produced during the festival by:
- composing the food offerings in reusable, recyclable, or compostable dishes,
- reusing certain outdoor signage each edition since 2017,
- distributing Ecocups at all festival and forum venues,
- eliminating all single-use plastic at the venues,
- reducing the number of printed materials for communications,
- using compostable, recyclable, or reusable containers and utensils,
- relying on the cooperation of the audience, artists, and participants,
- providing free water points in various festival venues, backstage, and on the outdoor stage.
To improve waste management and tracking, MUTEK relies on the services of the company Modus Operandi for collection and sorting. Volunteers from the Green Brigade support the public awareness of these measures. Thanks to our partner ACT (Artists Citizens on Tour), our artist lounges have been certified as eco-responsible.
Our efforts in waste reduction and management are made possible with the support of our partner RECYC-QUEBEC.
Supporting a local and responsible economy with our partners
MUTEK supports the responsible and circular economy by:
- using caterers who use local, organic, and 100% vegetarian products,
- utilizing local printing companies to minimize transportation and support local printing, on recycled paper with biodegradable ink certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),
- manufacturing MUTEK merchandise in Quebec and Canada, entrusted to manufacturers with ethical and responsible charters,
- providing local beverages,
- partnering with hotels and independent restaurants in Montreal that demonstrate eco-friendly initiatives.
In 2023, 88% of supplier headquarters and branches were located within a 100 km radius.
Life cycle project
MUTEK has joined the very first Écoleader cohort, composed of several events seeking to assess their environmental impact using a life cycle approach, which involves tracing all consumption sources from beginning to end. For one year, advisors from the Réseau des femmes en environnement and Groupe AGECO analyzed the festival's sites and each of its invoices. A detailed report was produced, which still serves as a reference for MUTEK today to guide our decisions.
"We are on-site at MUTEK Montreal today as part of the project "Assessing the footprint of events using a life cycle approach", carried out in collaboration with the AGÉCO Group thanks to funding from the Écoleader Fund. The objective is to accompany the MUTEK team in the collection of data related to, among other things, procurement, food, waste management, and transportation. Stay tuned for more news on this great project!" - Amandine Gourchette & Chloe Gagnon Champigny
Vivats Prize
Annually organized by the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables and the Réseau des femmes en environnement, the Vivat Awards recognize eco-responsible events in Quebec. To date, MUTEK has won:
- The Grand Vivat Award for eco-responsible events - 2023
- The Vivat Award for Waste Prevention and Source Reduction - 2023
- The Vivat Award for Responsible Waste Management - 2021
- Finalist for the Grand Vivat Award for eco-responsible events - 2021, 2022.
BNQ
In 2023, MUTEK obtained the BNQ standard for the first time. This standard, accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, serves as the regional reference framework to certify our commitment to environmental sustainability. It comprises 56 requirements spread across five domains: supplier selection, material management, energy and water sources management, waste management, and food and transportation selection.
Earth Percent
MUTEK has partnered with EarthPercent, a charitable organization that harnesses the power of music for the planet. Co-founded by Brian Eno, EarthPercent provides the music industry with a straightforward way to support the most influential organizations in the fight against climate change. The organization has an advisory committee consisting of over 35 scientists, climate experts, researchers, and academics who dynamically observe and analyze the climate space to identify and fund the most promising solutions.
MUTEK donates its compensation value to EarthPercent, which is 1% of the price of each passport, pass, and ticket sold. This amount is then matched by the organization's founder, Brian Eno, bringing EarthPercent closer to its goal of raising $100 million by 2030. (The price of MUTEK tickets has not been increased to accommodate this initiative).
PLANETAIR certificates (2020 - 2022)
Since 2011, MUTEK has been committed to offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions with the Planetair association for its reforestation project in Québec. In 2021, with the help of contributions from the public that we have matched, we have offset 130.72 tons of CO2 in 2021, an increase of 45% compared to 2019.
ICI On Recycle
Since 2017, MUTEK has been recognized by RECYC-QUÉBEC as a certified establishment under the ICI on recycle program, and since 2019, under the ICI on recycle + Level 2 program.
MUTEK thanks its committed partners for social and sustainable good, both current and past:
Content: Espace pour la vie Montréal, EarthPercent, A Greener Festival, Artistes citoyens en tournée, Music Declares Emergency, Hinter.live, Conseil Québécois des événements écoresponsables
Catering and Circular Economy: Petites-Mains, Nilufar, Projet Zéro Déchet, Lait DAM, Végo, Omnivore
Derivative Products Manufacturing: Petites-Mains, C’est Beau, Robin des bas, Robocut
Local beverage: microbrasserie Dieu du Ciel!, Le Seltzer, Gin Bleu Royal, Club Local, Zamalek
Waste management: RECYC-QUÉBEC, Echo-Logique, Mégot-Zéro, Modus Operandi Logistique, Coop les Valoristes, Consignaction, Ecocup, Éco quartier de Ville-Marie
Transport: Bixi, AmigoExpress, The Climate Gig
Reforestation: Planetair, Onetreeplanted
