Local is sustainable: How we work with Rtanj’s community

At Pyramid Festival, sustainability isn’t just about reusable cups, solar energy, or compost toilets — it’s about people. True sustainability is rooted in relationships, and for us, that means actively involving and supporting the local community of Rtanj, the mountain that welcomes us year after year.

When we say “local is sustainable,” here’s what we mean:

1. Food grown nearby = fewer kilometers, less waste, more flavor

We prioritize food sourced directly from local farms and small producers. This choice has many layers of impact:

• Shorter transport = lower emissions
  
• Minimal packaging = less plastic waste
  
• Seasonal, traditional meals = healthier and tastier food
  

Some of the vegetables you enjoy at the festival are grown just a few kilometers away. Many dishes are based on traditional recipes and prepared by local cooks, people who live on and with the mountain.

By sourcing locally, we not only reduce our ecological footprint, but we also help keep resources and revenue circulating within the community that hosts us.

2. Local partners in waste management

Sustainability doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why we’ve built partnerships with local organizations that’ve a deeper understanding of the local waste management system and logistics than any outside consultant could.

• JKP Boljevac, the public utility company, provides and transports communal waste containers
  
• Jubul, a regional recycling service, helps us sort and manage recyclable materials
  
• Local volunteers and eco-activists help organize waste stations and educate festival-goers
  

By working with the existing infrastructure instead of creating parallel systems, we build trust, avoid unnecessary costs, and make sustainability a shared effort, not a burden.

3. Rtanj neighbors as Knowledge Keepers and Eco Builders

Our sustainability projects would not be what they are without the generous support and wisdom of local people who’ve been with us from the very beginning.

A key partner is Rtanjski Vrt, a permaculture initiative run by a local couple who embody sustainable agriculture in their daily lives and share knowledge with the community. Together, we’ve developed:

• Educational programs on composting, biofiltration, and soil regeneration
  
• Infrastructure for eco-projects, including natural water filters and compost systems
  
• A living example of how regenerative thinking can be rooted in local practice
  

Other neighbors contribute, too, helping build, repair, and evolve our systems year after year. Their presence keeps our eco efforts grounded, relevant, and resilient.

4. Beyond “Green”: Sustainability as a social practice

It’s easy to think of sustainability in terms of waste, water, and energy. But we believe it’s equally about:

• Who gets hired
  
• Where do materials come from
  
• Whose voice is heard in decision-making
  

That’s why we choose to work with local crews, source materials as close as possible, and invite community members to shape the festival — through food, music, art, and knowledge-sharing.

A festival with the community, not just in it!

We don’t want to just show up on the mountain, throw a party, and leave no trace. We want to leave something meaningful behind — relationships, knowledge, and a sense of shared ownership.

Because true sustainability isn’t imported.
It’s grown — together.