A project called “Zero Waste” was started last September by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation in order to reduce resource wastage and to use resources more efficiently. Within this project seminars were planned to be given in 10 cities, and the first of these “Zero Waste, Added Value to The Future” seminars was organized in Antalya on 23rd February. 

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation issued a written comment stating that the purpose of this project which would be implemented in 30 pilot cities was to control waste within the framework of sustainable development principles, to leave a clean and advanced Turkey, and a habitable world to the future generations.

It was also pointed out in the statement that the second seminar would be held in Denizli, and the aim was to spread this practice over the whole of Turkey starting with public institutions. With the application started in Antalya, attention was drawn to recycling and environmental awareness, to the fact that the storage of waste had a negative impact on the environment whereas when recycled, it would positively affect the economy of the country. The comment also stated that what was gained through the Zero Waste project was explained to the public with practical applications.

The opening of the event in the first pilot city Antalya was by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, at the Cultural Centre with more than 1000 guests. Prof. Öztürk in his speech said that with this project 77 tons of paper, 18 tons of plastic, 4 tons of glass, 2 tons of metal, 1100 litres of waste vegetable oil, 2,5 tons of organic waste – in total 105 tons of waste was recycled in the Ministry building only, making a great contribution to the economy. Undersecretary Öztürk also pointed out that with the change of habits in this way 1300 trees were saved from being cut down. 

One of the organizations that had a stand in the foyer area of the Cultural Centre was ÇEVKO. Most of the participants of the seminar were educationists, and they were given training materials, and were informed on the works of ÇEVKO Foundation.