For the efficient use of natural resources and to prevent waste, methods such as the charge of plastic bags within the scope of “Zero Waste”, filling Akbil in return of plastic bottles in Istanbul are applied. But how do such practices have an impact on waste reduction?
There is a serious loss of resources when the waste is not recycled. Moreover, due to the rapid increase in the world population, waste is also increasing. Thanks to the Zero Waste project initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, waste is recycled.
With this project, all wastes can be used as resources for other products. Thanks to this system, there won’t be waste in water, soil and air. As a result, possible harms to natural habitats and people can be prevented.
Within the scope of this project, which will be realized in big workplaces, shopping malls, hospitals, education and public institutions, the necessary trainings will be given to the target group. Waste collection equipment will then be installed in these locations. The categories of waste collection equipment will be:
● Paper and cardboard
● Plastic waste
● Glass waste
● Metal waste
● Non-recyclable wastes
● Hazardous waste and electronic waste
● Organic waste
● Bread waste
● Food leftovers
● Medical waste
All collected wastes are transported to Waste Temporary Storage Area and weighed and recorded by officials. Recyclable wastes (plastic, paper, glass, metal) are sent to licensed recycling facilities, and other non-recyclable wastes for disposal facilities...
According to the latest published Zero Waste Project 2017 activity report, the amount of waste collected so far is as follows:
● 70 ton paper-cardboard waste, 17 ton plastic waste, 4 ton glass waste, 2 ton metal waste, 1 ton food and bread waste, 2.5 ton organic waste, 100 kg wood waste, 2 kg textile waste, 120 kg coarse waste, approximately 97 tons of non-hazardous / recyclable waste
● 120 kg electronic waste, 136 kg waste battery, 25 kg waste accumulator, 1100 L vegetable oil waste, 780 L mineral oil waste, 110 kg medical waste, 1.5 kg waste medicine, 70 kg packaging waste contaminated with hazardous materials, 35 kg filter and cloth waste contaminated with hazardous substances, 70 kg of toner-cartridge waste and 175 kg of fluorescent waste, in total 2.5 tons of non-hazardous / non-recyclable waste
Zero Waste project contributes to waste reduction
In the Main Service Building of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, in line with the Zero Waste Management Plan in 2017, only as a result of habit change
● Cutting off of 1200 trees have been prevented.
. ● 14 tons of greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced.
● 270 barrels of oil and 7 tons of natural resources were banned.
● 500 m³ of landfill was saved.
● 1 ton compost, 560 L base oil and 1000 L biodiesel were obtained.
Nowadays, these numbers will increase much more when Zero Waste practices are spread in public institutions, large businesses and shopping centers. In recent days, Environment and Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum said in Turkey 2523 organizations switched to Zero Waste practices. Kurum also announced that as of October 2018, the number of landfill facilities increased to 88 and serves 54.9 million people in 1142 municipalities.
Charge of plastic bags reduced bag consumption
Another measure taken by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization for the efficient use of natural resources was to make bags payable. With paid plastic bag application in Turkey that started on January 1, 2019, the use of plastic bags has decreased by 60 - 65 percent in 15 days.
Filling Akbil in return of plastic bottles
Smart recycling container at ITU Ayazağa metro station.
In order to contribute to recycling, one of the implementations of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality was to pay money to Istanbulkart for plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The first intelligent recycling container was installed at ITU Ayazaga Station. The tariffs are as follows:
For plastic bottles: 0.33 lt is 2 kurus, 0.5 lt is 3 kuruş, 1 lt is 6 kurus,, 1.5 lt is 9 kurus.
For aluminum cans: 0.33 lt is 7 kurus, 0.5 lt is 9 kurus.
