Upon her arrival at the center, Emine Erdoğan was greeted with flowers by students from the Altındağ Municipality Güneşevler Kindergarten, after which she cut the ribbon to inaugurate the center.

While observing children who were making flamingo models from waste cardboard and pine cones during workshop activities, Emine Erdoğan praised them, saying, "I congratulate you all, children; you've created wonderful things."

After receiving information from Altındağ Mayor Asım Balcı and Center Coordinator Güneş İpek, Emine Erdoğan toured the section of the center showcasing products made from waste materials.

Emine Erdoğan was particularly engaged by the children and applauded 6-year-old Reyyan Güleç Muslu for her statement, "Zero waste is something that prevents waste. It makes life easier for people and animals, putting them in a better position."

At Emine Erdoğan's request, little Reyyan explained the products made from waste materials one by one. Emine Erdoğan also chatted with other children.

"I BELIEVE OUR FUTURE IS IN SAFE HANDS"

Later, Emine Erdoğan toured the compost production area of the center and examined the manual compost machines that operate with assistance from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

Emine Erdoğan expressed her admiration for the center, stating, "I congratulate our Altındağ Municipality. The awareness and ownership that children develop will make our job much easier, hopefully. Therefore, I believe our future is in safe hands. I hope the education here will be reflected in all our municipalities, and I want all our children to benefit from this education."

She shared that the children's remarks about zero waste deeply moved her and expressed her desire to show the recordings to her grandchildren as an example.

Emine Erdoğan presented the children with packages that included zero waste games and books, along with certificates from the Zero Waste School. In return, Mayor Balcı presented her with a painting made from waste materials. She then toured the center's garden and took photos with the children.

In his statement regarding the activities of the Zero Waste Education and Simulation Center, Altındağ Mayor Balcı noted that the center had started operations some time ago, saying, "Children from schools, youth centers, and courses from all over Ankara come here by making prior appointments to receive training. They receive basic education, especially about environmental awareness and what can be done regarding zero waste, including simulation-based games and the separation of collected waste, and we issue certificates to the children at the end. So far, over 5,000 children and young people have had the opportunity to receive certificates here, and there is significant interest."

Mayor Balcı highlighted that this center, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, is the first of its kind in Turkey, and many institutions and organizations are eager to visit and see it in person to replicate this example.