On March 30, International Zero Waste Day was commemorated with an "Environmental Cleanup Activity" in Samsun, led by the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.
The event, held at Batıpark, saw significant participation from the Environmental Issues Application and Research Center of Ondokuz Mayıs University, the Environmental Community, and OMU Foundation College.
The program featured prominent figures such as Deputy Governor Kemal Yıldız, Provincial Director of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Tevfik Akçay, Director of OMU Environmental Issues Application and Research Center Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan, Head of Environmental Engineering Department Prof. Dr. Feryal Akbal, and Ali Tülümen, the Head of Environmental Protection and Control Department at Samsun Metropolitan Municipality. Students from the Environmental Community and OMU Foundation College were also present.
Additionally, to raise and spread awareness, the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change staff conducted Zero Waste Awareness training for primary school students.
Launched in 2017, the Zero Waste Project in our country promotes resource and waste management based on the circular economy, sustainable production and consumption habits, efficient use of resources, waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling, and the development of social solidarity.
From 2017 to 2023, the project has reintegrated approximately 59.9 million tons of recyclable waste back into the economy, including 29.3 million tons of paper-cardboard, 7.8 million tons of plastic, 2.9 million tons of glass, 3.7 million tons of metal, and 16.2 million tons of organic and other recyclable wastes.
In the context of combating climate change and sustainable development plans, a resolution titled "Promoting Zero Waste Initiatives to Advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 2022, establishing March 30 as International Zero Waste Day.
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