Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın eşi Emine Erdoğan, ‘Çevre Bilinci ve Geri Dönüşüm’ kampanyasının tanıtım toplantısına katıldı. İstanbul Başakşehir Belediyesi tarafından "Yeşil şapka takılsın, geri dönüşüm başlasın" sloganıyla hazırlanan kampanyanın, Emin Saraç Kültür Merkezi’ndeki tanıtım toplantısında Emine Erdoğan bir konuşma yaptı. Emine Erdoğan emphasized in her speech that approximately 1.5 years ago, when they launched a recycling project called the "Zero Waste Movement," their goal was to start this project from public institutions and spread it throughout society. She noted, “This can only be achieved if our municipalities and citizens take ownership of this effort.” She expressed satisfaction with how well this message has been understood today.

“THE ZERO WASTE MOVEMENT HAS FOUND RESONANCE IN SOCIETY”

Emine Erdoğan expressed her happiness regarding the reception of the recycling movement she initiated and commended the youth and children for embracing the project. She stated that their aim is to transform the project from a technical initiative into a way of life, creating the groundwork for a sense of environmental protection. She remarked, “I have seen that our Başakşehir Municipality has succeeded in this. This is the concrete embodiment of heartfelt municipalism. Beyond slogans, it is about preparing the emotional and physical infrastructure that shapes the life culture of our people. I hope this initiative serves as an example for other municipalities.”
Emphasizing that nature is a shared heritage for everyone, she said that everyone has equal rights and responsibilities regarding this issue. She added, “Polluting nature and misusing its resources is, in a sense, trampling on others' rights to clean air, water, and soil. Hopefully, we can all approach this issue with this sensitivity.”
Emine Erdoğan stressed the importance of effectively communicating the fundamental idea behind the Zero Waste campaign to citizens, noting, “It is essential to explain that this is not only a savings project but also an environmental awareness and future project. Only then can we realize a sensitive and conscious transformation movement.”

“WITHOUT CHANGES IN CONSUMPTION HABITS, THE WORLD IS PREGNANT WITH SCARCITY, DROUGHT, AND MASS MIGRATION”

Emine Erdoğan expressed her belief that by 2023, they would have a 'zero' next to their waste report card, saying, “This will be the best grade we can receive concerning waste.” She stated, “I find it very important to instill this awareness in children. Our children are right behind us in this race for 'sustainability' because they will inherit this legacy from us. The 'recycling hour' initiated in our schools is thus an extremely important initiative. We all believe that a tree bends while it is young. Many studies suggest that if there are no changes in consumption habits, the future of the world is pregnant with scarcity, drought, and mass migrations. We have no right to leave our children such a world. But we still have time to turn everything around.”
Emine Erdoğan emphasized that humans are not the rulers of nature but rather a part of it, benefiting from it to the necessary extent. She stated, “If we behave kindly toward nature, we can expect kindness in return. Natural resources that have been plundered, destroyed forests, and continuously polluted air and water will certainly respond to us.”

“FILLING THE EMPTINESS WITH MATERIAL POSSESSIONS DISTANCES US FROM OUR SPIRITUALITY”

Recalling Tolstoy’s words, “The first condition of happiness is that the bond between man and nature must not be broken,” Emine Erdoğan continued, “This statement very well explains why psychological crises have increased in the modern world. Living with a consumption-oriented mindset not only depletes nature's resources but is also a cause of the spiritual erosion we experience. Trying to fill the emptiness within us with material possessions has side effects that distance us from our own spirituality. A person is not merely a being that needs constant feeding of the ego. Therefore, we must invest in other areas of being human and not seek happiness in fleeting consumption. In this regard, I want to say that the zero waste culture is, in fact, a culture of conviction. Let us not forget, simple living is the best mirror that allows a person to see themselves in every aspect.”
In commemoration of March 18, Emine Erdoğan also honored the martyrs of Çanakkale, saying, “May the souls of all our martyrs be blessed on the 104th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory. May God endow us with the consciousness of their flags and homeland. May He strengthen our unity and solidarity against those who wish to divide our country.”
After her speech, Emine Erdoğan received a flower produced at the municipality's recycling facility from Başakşehir Mayor Yasin Kartoğlu, and participant Güven İslamoğlu presented her with an ‘environment detective’ hat for her environmentally friendly efforts.
At the end of the program, Emine Erdoğan took a commemorative photo with students and guests who supported the campaign, including radio host Kadir Çöpdemir, fashion designer Hakan Akkaya, model Özge Ulusoy, and Ivana Sert.