In her speech at the ceremony, Emine Erdoğan recalled that they are in the 5th year of the Zero Waste movement, which symbolizes concrete steps taken not only for Turkey’s but also for the world’s future, and thanked the institutions, organizations, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations that support the project.

Emine Erdoğan explained that in all beliefs around the world and ancient cultures, nature is seen as the home and motherland of humanity, emphasizing that the soil we tread has hosted many civilizations. Although countless works remain from these civilizations, she stated that the most valuable legacy that has reached today is a livable world.

Pointing out that nature, which is humanity's common heritage, is facing the danger of extinction, Emine Erdoğan noted that research shows the world's annual natural resources are consumed by mid-year, stating, “According to this measure known as ‘Earth Overshoot Day,’ all resources were consumed by July in 2022.” She added, “We are closing the resource gap that results from these rapid production and consumption habits by borrowing from the next year.”

Emine Erdoğan highlighted that while consuming natural resources, waste mountains are also being created, saying, “Many of the materials we use to ease our lives are disposable products included in our consumption cycle to meet very short-term needs.”

“THE ZERO WASTE PROJECT HAS GROWN HEART TO HEART WITH THE PEOPLE'S SUPPORT”

According to World Bank reports, Emine Erdoğan stated that only 20% of the waste generated in the world is recycled, while the rest is either stored or left in nature. She said, “We pay the price for the waste left in nature in the form of chemicals and plastic particles that mix with our waters, soils, and air. Moreover, these residues reach our tables and pollute the air we breathe. The amount of plastic waste produced in the last century alone corresponds to nearly twice the aquatic and terrestrial biomass on our planet. This list can be extended. We must move beyond merely discussing the problems and become part of the solution. Perhaps we are the last generation capable of doing this.”

Emine Erdoğan shared that they embarked on this journey with a dream five years ago, noting that the Zero Waste Project, launched in 2017 at the Presidential Complex, has grown heart to heart with the people's support.

She pointed out that significant developments have been made in sectors regarding circular economy and environmentally friendly production models and congratulated sector representatives who have prepared sustainability reports and adopted greener production models by taking responsibility.

Emine Erdoğan emphasized that zero waste is a responsibility movement initiated for the future of humanity, continuing her remarks: “Zero waste is a product of a living philosophy in harmony with nature, with the awareness that waste is actually an energy source. It is a step taken to reinforce the emotional bond modern humans have forgotten with nature. With this perspective, the example that Turkey has set in the past five years is now inspiring all countries worldwide. In September, we signed a global goodwill declaration with dozens of foreign heads of state, ministers, and UN representatives, including the UN Secretary-General, who believe in the ideal of ‘zero waste,’ pledging to work together to promote zero waste practices around the world. The increasing number of signatories each day is an important step towards institutionalizing global interest and support for our Zero Waste Project.”

INTERNATIONAL ZERO WASTE DAY ON MARCH 30

Emine Erdoğan shared that she wanted to announce some good news, stating, “Recently, the draft resolution submitted by our country to the UN General Assembly on ‘promoting zero waste practices to achieve sustainable development goals’ was unanimously accepted with the co-sponsorship of 105 countries. With this decision, March 30 will be celebrated as International Zero Waste Day around the world starting in 2023.”

Emine Erdoğan also mentioned that as a result of this historic decision, they have begun efforts to establish a Zero Waste Advisory Board under the UN and through Turkey’s initiatives, saying, “We are ready as Turkey to share our experiences in zero waste with any country that wishes to and to do whatever is necessary to turn zero waste into a global movement. The seed we planted here five years ago with hope is turning into a great tree whose shadow reaches even the farthest countries today. This success primarily belongs to our people, who have embraced zero waste as a way of life and enriched it with their voluntary contributions. I wholeheartedly thank all environmental heroes whose hearts beat for nature.”

“I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE A MODEL IN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS”

Emine Erdoğan stated, “This year, the Zero Waste Summit is being organized under the very valuable theme of ‘climate and youth.’ It is impossible for a struggle that does not include our children and youth, who will inherit the Earth, to succeed.” 

Addressing children and young people, Emine Erdoğan said, “Do not forget that you are the heirs of a civilization that sees the earth as a ‘faithful companion,’ wrote the world’s first environmental charter, established the first animal hospital, and considers cutting trees as akin to severing heads. The legacy of our ancestors who lived in these lands is not only a clean and livable nature. It is also a mindset that approaches every creature created with respect and reverence. With this consciousness, I believe you carry the potential to be a model in environmental awareness not only in our country but also in the world. Each of you can lead the creation of a waste-free and sustainable life in your families, communities, universities, and neighborhoods. In an environment where modern life encourages continuous consumption through short-lived disposable products, you can be defenders of true values. The Zero Waste movement that started with us will rise in your hands and be passed down to the whole world and future generations. The efforts of each of you will combine with the others to prepare a more hopeful future for all of us, God willing.”

Emine Erdoğan expressed that humanity, which fell into the illusion that it could dominate nature through industrialization, is now searching for ways to make peace with nature while benefiting from the advantage of having never forgotten that they are a part of it. She stated, “The pages of history will record Turkey’s leadership in resolving the crisis against countries that do not take responsibility while nature struggles for survival. The lines will be made up of the stories of all zero waste volunteers, especially those who received awards here today. On this occasion, I congratulate all the individuals and institutions that will receive awards and sincerely thank them for their outstanding efforts to protect our common home, the Earth. There is no doubt that the greatest reward for your voluntary contributions is to have been able to heal the wounds opened in nature, even a little.”

Emine Erdoğan thanked the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the project’s executor, and other ministries, institutions, and organizations that contributed to the success of the Zero Waste Project, which has completed its fifth year.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO STREET COLLECTORS AT THE SUMMIT

Before the program held at the Haliç Congress Center, Emine Erdoğan visited the stands opened as part of the summit.

Electric vehicles were gifted to street collectors by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Meeting with street collectors, Emine Erdoğan thanked each of them for their efforts and provided them with electric vehicles in place of their carts.

Visiting the Recycling Exhibition by artist Deniz Sağdıç, Emine Erdoğan completed the final pieces of a painting made from waste fabrics with the support of the artist and visitors on the day of the summit. Deniz Sağdıç explained that the black background of the painting symbolizes the destruction caused to nature, while the colors on the endangered bird symbolize hope in combating climate change.

Emine Erdoğan also toured the exhibition showcasing the tracking system implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change to protect loggerhead turtles, where their journeys were presented through created three-dimensional visuals, conveying the message that all living beings in nature should be protected in the fight against climate change.

As part of the summit, Emine Erdoğan met with the chefs of the MasterChef program, who established a Waste-Free Kitchen, presented them with the book “Our Shared Home, the World,” and received information about their ongoing efforts. The chefs also presented Emine Erdoğan with a kitchen apron inscribed with “Emine Erdoğan.”

Later, Emine Erdoğan, along with participants such as Orhan Gencebay, Hakan Ural, and Birol Güven, threw glass and PET bottles into a deposit machine and received their refunds.

Emine Erdoğan chatted with climate ambassador youths, listened to the projects they are carrying out, and then entered the hall to applause.

The program, which started with the screening of the film “Zero Waste Blue” and included a theater performance, featured speeches by Başak Gençler and Süleyman Emre Mutoğlu as “climate ambassadors.”

The summit was attended by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez, Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer, Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mehmet Emin Birpınar, President of the Higher Education Council Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, as well as the Minister of Environment of Lebanon Nasser Yassin and Minister of Environment of Sri Lanka Nasser Ahamed.

Additionally, university students, climate ambassador youths, street collectors, environmental volunteers, artists, athletes, representatives of environmental NGOs, business representatives, local governments, and sector stakeholders from all over Turkey also participated in the summit.

At the summit, the “Zero Waste Local Government Award” in the upper category for “Best Practice” was awarded to Sancaktepe Municipality, Kızılcahamam Municipality, and Selçuklu Municipality; the “Zero Waste Management System Establishment” award was given to Zeytinburnu Municipality, Osmaniye Municipality, and Esenler Municipality.