Sustainable World and Individual Responsibility

A Sustainable World and Individual Responsibility In its message released by ÇEVKO Vakfı for World Recycling Week, an expert industrial initiative and effective civil society organization, emphasis was placed on recycling being a multi-stakeholder process encompassing different segments of society and being vital for a sustainable world, with individuals forming the starting point of the process. Founded in 1991 as a voluntary industrial initiative to contribute to recycling-focused sustainable development, ÇEVKO Vakfı has maintained its work with increasing momentum over 31 years and has acquired the identity of a civil society organization reaching broad audiences. In recent years in particular, it has been among the leading institutions providing intellectual leadership on "combating climate crisis" and "transition to circular economy" in our country. Stating that all individuals bear responsibility for a sustainable world, ÇEVKO Vakfı General Secretary Mete İmer said: "We must not forget that waste is actually a resource. Waste is processed through the recycling process and used as raw material in the production of new products. Through the use of recycled waste as raw material, energy is saved; natural resources such as water, trees and oil are protected. Production costs decrease, new job opportunities are created, thus contributing to the country's economy. Most importantly, future generations are left with a more pleasant environment where they can be happier and natural resources they can use. The starting point of this value chain is formed by us as individuals and our positive behaviors. On the other hand, it is also among our responsibilities to enable waste to be revalued as raw material—that is, to collect our waste separately at home for recycling and to ensure their recycling. Every individual who demonstrates sensitivity on these matters can make a voluntary contribution to the spread of these positive behaviors starting from those closest to them and to increased awareness and consciousness on this issue," he said. Stating that ÇEVKO Vakfı, representing Extended Producer Responsibility, as Turkey's first authorized organization in this field, ensured the collection and recycling of approximately 7.5 million tons of packaging waste over the 15-year period from 2005 to 2020, Mete İmer said: "Our foundation carried out this work through the extended producer responsibility model with financial support from thousands of economic enterprises to fulfill their legal obligations. With new regulations entered into force in the field of waste management, our country has placed responsibility for the management of packaging and other waste entirely on the public authority since 2020. Economic enterprises have come to pay a recycling participation fee to the state." Noting that recycling is a cultural issue concerning different segments of society, Mete İmer continued his remarks: "Since the day we were founded, as ÇEVKO Vakfı, we have conducted communication efforts to spread recycling culture and for the majority of society to adopt source separation habits—whether through training educators in schools, through door-to-door information provision in homes and workplaces, through large events involving crowds or through the media. Collecting packaging waste from products we use in our daily living spaces separately and disposing of them at packaging waste points in our neighborhoods is a simple but effective step. Individuals who do not have a waste point in their neighborhood can contact their municipalities on this matter," he continued. Adding that ÇEVKO Digital Solutions developed within ÇEVKO Vakfı has eased the lives of municipalities, public institutions and commercial enterprises in this regard, Mete İmer said: "With its many innovative features that provide ease of installation and can be developed according to requirements, ÇEVKO Digital Solutions is capable of offering a comprehensive digital solution to the waste management processes of a wide variety of enterprises such as shopping centers, chain stores, hotels, gas stations, etc." Inviting everyone who wishes to gain more information on choices that will contribute to sustainable living and to be part of activities that will help raise public awareness and spread consciousness on this matter to become a ÇEVKO Vakfı Volunteer, Mete İmer continued as follows: "Expanding ÇEVKO Volunteers is among the issues to which we will give priority in the coming period. In addition to active volunteer participation in our events, anyone wishing to set an example to those around them on individual contribution to sustainable waste management, to participate in our awareness-raising activities and to provide voluntary contribution for a sustainable world can apply to become a ÇEVKO Volunteer through our foundation's website."