Recycling Efforts Begin for Agricultural Packaging Waste

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality launches agricultural packaging waste recycling initiative Antalya's environmental issues are being addressed through collaborative efforts by the Environment Council, established in 2020 under the leadership of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. The Environment Council held a meeting at Antalya Metropolitan Municipality to assess the current situation regarding agricultural packaging waste and review progress on decisions made in previous meetings. During the meeting, the Agricultural Packaging Collection Automation Project, which Antalya Metropolitan Municipality will implement to address packaging waste problems, was presented.

Implementation to Start in Kumluca

Chief Advisor to the Mayor and Environment Council Chair Lokman Atasoy stated that the project's first implementation was decided for Kumluca, noting that Antalya is the region where agricultural activities are most intensive and pesticide consumption is highest. Atasoy said, "Agricultural packaging waste is unfortunately being disposed of uncontrollably in the environment, burned, scrapped or thrown into household waste containers. This has become a significant problem for the environment and human health. Therefore, for a clean environment and a healthy society, it is essential that these wastes are collected, disposed of and integrated into the recycling system."

To Be Supported by Solar Energy

Chief Advisor Atasoy stated that Antalya Metropolitan Municipality will launch the Agricultural Packaging Collection Automation System to prevent agricultural packaging waste from harming the environment and public health. Atasoy said, "Smart containers will draw their energy from the sun through solar panels and will not require city grid or any other energy source. They will be able to record video 24/7 for security purposes, with the recording equipment housed in a secure, enclosed box inside the container. Farmers will be able to see the locations of containers in their districts through a mobile application they will download to their mobile phones."

Launching with 4 Containers

Chief Advisor Lokman Atasoy, stating that the implementation in Kumluca was decided after consulting with relevant institutions and organizations such as the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization, the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Akdeniz University, NGOs and experts, announced that temporary storage areas have been identified and the project will begin shortly with 4 smart containers provided by the Metropolitan Municipality. Atasoy noted that they aim to expand the project across Antalya based on lessons learned and to make it a model for Turkey.