"Let's See the Hidden Wealth in Waste"

Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, Faculty Member at ITU and Chair of the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association, stated that waste materials such as wood, batteries, glass, electrical and electronic equipment, paper, tires, metals, plastics, and oils that have reached the end of their useful life contain energy and raw materials. In a statement on Global Recycling Day on 18 March, she called for a different perspective on waste and recyclables, urging people to recognize the hidden wealth in waste. In production and consumption everywhere in life, humans and industry generate various types of waste. While producing for humans, humans consume the planet's resources and contribute to three urgent problems: environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Human and nature's health deteriorates. Emphasizing the importance of recycling and advanced recycling in waste management, Istanbul Technical University Faculty Member and Chair of the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu called for "looking at waste and recyclables from a different perspective, seeing the hidden wealth in waste, as waste contains energy and raw materials."

Global Recycling Day on 18 March

Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu stated: "To support recycling, demonstrate the economic value of recyclables, and protect our planet from problems created by waste, the Global Recycling Foundation first proposed celebrating Global Recycling Day in October 2018. The International Recycling Bureau (BIR) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are making significant efforts to gain recognition of this meaningful day by the United Nations. She noted that it was SÜT-D that first brought Global Recycling Day, first celebrated worldwide in 2019, to the agenda in our country, and that the association contributed the term 'Recyclables' to the sector by keeping recycling continuously on the agenda."

Let us look at waste and recyclables from a different perspective,

We are consuming billions of tons of our planet's resources: air, water, coal, oil, natural gas, minerals—our six resources. Our resources are finite. They will be depleted in the not-too-distant future. Every piece of waste, every recyclable is a raw material to be reprocessed. The seventh resource. For this reason, Prof. Karaosmanoğlu, calling for thinking before discarding and looking at waste differently, emphasized creating income and employment through circular economy opportunities.

Let us recognize the hidden wealth in waste

SÜT-D Chair Karaosmanoğlu stated: "According to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's Zero Waste Project data, 47 million tons of raw material has been processed and value created in the circular economy over the past six years. In other words, 35% of waste has been recycled. Our 2035 target is 60%. We have a responsibility. If we reduce the monetary and planetary cost of production and consumption through best waste management practices, we gain doubly. When our waste is generated, let us think before discarding and recognize the hidden wealth we have. Let us collect our waste separately and live in an environment and climate-friendly manner by sending recyclables for processing."

What should individuals do?

Karaosmanoğlu stated: "When paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, and metal packaging reach the end of their useful life, let us start collecting them in a single bag. Let us not mix them with our household waste. A small medicine box's cardboard and plastic packaging, food plastic packaging, metal cans, plastic bottles, etc. will accumulate. Let us also collect glass separately. You will be surprised at the amount. Recyclables are raw materials before your eyes. That is the critical point. Now is the time for the business world to send recyclables for processing. If our municipality collects on a certain day of the week, let us hand them over. Otherwise, let us learn about waste separate collection points near us. Let us take them there. Let us start creating value and income in our industry, protecting our planet and our future."