MUTEK Montréal returns for its 26^th edition, and our transformation into a more responsible festival continues, with the goal of reducing the ecological impact of our events. With the support of partners such as RECYC-QUÉBEC and Artistes Citoyens en Tournée, this transition is well underway. To go even further, we need your help.

MUTEK – Winner of the 2023 Vivats Award for eco-responsibility
Grand Vivat Award for eco-responsible events
Vivat Award for Waste Prevention and Source Reduction

Join us in achieving our goals by adopting simple actions and learning more about the initiatives we are putting in place.

What can you do?

► Use the sorting bins for residual materials (green for recycling, black for landfill waste, brown for compost, deposit bins for cans, liquids at the sorting station and cigarette butts in an ashtray). If you’re not sure how to sort, our Green Brigade will be there to help.

► Support restaurants that use local products. Nearby options include: Omma, Lola Rosa, Osmo x Marusan, and Omnivore.

► Eat using your reusable containers and utensils — food is allowed at our outdoor stage.

► Travel by active and collective transportation (walking, cycling, BIXI, bus, metro, carpooling if coming from further away). There are several bike racks in front of the Saint-Laurent metro station. You can access carpooling offers to our Festival via the AmigoExpress webpage.

► Avoid printing your tickets if you can keep them on your smartphone.

► Bring your reusable water bottle. Water fountains and refill stations will be available at all Festival and Forum venues. No bottle? Ask for an Ecocup at the bar.

► Bring your reusable coffee cup to the Festival and Forum.

► Attending the Forum? Bring a lanyard from a previous event to encourage reuse. Remember to return your badge and lanyard at the end so we can reuse them next year.

► Download the free “Ça va où?” app from RECYC-QUÉBEC, a handy tool to know how to sort materials correctly. Download the app.

► Want to help us offset our carbon emissions? You can contribute by purchasing carbon credits or sustainable aviation fuel (recommended option) via our partner The Climate Gig.

Offset for artists

Offset for the public

What is MUTEK doing?

► Waste reduction: We work with several partners, including RECYC-QUÉBEC, to ensure recycling and waste reduction at all sites.

► Zero plastic: Single-use plastic is banned from MUTEK-managed venues. We provide Ecocups at the bars and use only compostable, recyclable, or reusable containers and utensils.

► Zero Waste Project: Recovery of unsold food, prevention of food waste, fully vegetarian caterers prioritizing local products (Nilufar, Frenco, La Place Commune), and DAM oat milk in reusable containers.

► Reduction of printing: Use of FSC-certified recyclable paper, reuse and repurposing of signage.

► ACT-certified dressing rooms: For the fifth consecutive year, our dressing rooms are eco-certified by Artistes Citoyens en Tournée.

► Carbon offsetting: 1% of the price of each ticket and pass goes to fighting climate change. Our partner EarthPercent doubles this amount.

► Life cycle analysis: Participation in the project led by the Réseau des femmes en environnement, the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables, and AGECO.

► Data collection: With Modus Operandi and the Creative Green tool, we measure our waste streams and recycling rate.

Spotlight on our partners

► Merchandise: Partnership with Kotmo, a local, women-led, ethical company, for the production of our t-shirts, tote bags, and caps, made in Canada from certified, recycled, and toxin-free materials.

► Accommodation: Hôtel Monville and Saintlo Montréal prioritize local sourcing and repair of equipment on-site.

► Local beverages: Partnerships with Dieu du Ciel!, Brasseurs de Montréal, Solstis, Romeo’s gin, Le Seltzer, and Zamalek.

► Local businesses: Partners such as Osmo x Marusan and Bloom Sushi highlighting local ingredients and flavors. More information on our Discover Montréal page.

Forum — Activities on eco-responsibility

A selection of activities exploring the environmental impact of technologies and the cultural levers of transition, at the crossroads of AI, digital art, and collective engagement.

AI Ecologies Lab Exhibition (presented by MUTEK) — Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 12:00–17:30.
The Power of Imagination as a Tool for Climate Action (Soliphilia) — Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 13:00–14:00.
Responsible AI (Tegan Maharaj – Mila) — Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 14:30–15:30.
Digital Art as a Driver of Sustainable Change (La Piscine) — Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 16:00–17:30.
In Conversation with Madame Gandhi (presented by EarthPercent) — Friday, August 22, 2025, 09:15–10:00.

Some figures from last edition

► 74% of waste collected was recycled, composted, and diverted from landfills.

► 88% of suppliers’ headquarters and branches are located within a 100 km radius.

► 73.3% of the audience traveled by active/collective transportation.

► 500 cigarette butts were recycled into urban furniture through Mégots-zéro.

► 391 containers were returned through the cooperative Les Valoristes.

► Zero single-use plastic available at MUTEK-managed venues.

► Eco-responsible certification of MUTEK with the BNQ Level 3 standard, including 56 requirements in five areas: supplier selection, management of materials, energy and water sources, waste management, and selection of food and transportation methods.

► MUTEK wins the 2023 Grand Vivat Award for eco-responsible events.

► 1% of the price of each ticket sold is donated to the charity Earth Percent, which doubles the amount and invests it in the fight against climate change. For 2023 and 2024, MUTEK and its audience raised $9,674.5 for a total of $19,349.

The MUTEK Eco Guide is presented by RECYC-QUÉBEC