Üsküdar University participated with its sustainability efforts at the Zero Waste Forum 2026, held at Istanbul Atatürk Airport between June 5-7, 2026, and attended by representatives from 183 countries. At the forum, attended by ministers, former heads of state, local administrators, and representatives of international organizations from around the world, topics such as combatting climate change, circular economy, waste management, and sustainable development were discussed.
Üsküdar University integrates sustainability into all its processes
Prof. Aylin Yalçın Sarıbey, Sustainability Coordinator of Üsküdar University, made evaluations after the forum and provided information on the university's sustainability efforts.
Stating that the university carries out activities for all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, Prof. Sarıbey said, “Our Sustainability Coordination collects all data in areas such as energy, water, waste consumption, and social equality within the university and labels them in accordance with Sustainable Development criteria. Especially topics like Quality Education, Gender Equality, Health and Quality of Life are integrated into course curricula, and public awareness projects are produced.” she stated.
Zero Waste Management System implemented across campus
Stating that Üsküdar University continuously updates its environmental policies, Prof. Sarıbey said, “In accordance with the regulation of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, it has established the Zero Waste Management System and has qualified to receive the official Zero Waste Certificate for its main campuses (Çarşı, Güney, Faculty of Medicine) as well as for NP Feneryolu and NP Etiler Medical Centers. Environmentally friendly material criteria have been introduced for external suppliers in procurement processes. The reduction of single-use plastics and paperless office practices are encouraged on campuses. Waste sorting units have been widespread across the campus; special monitoring and licensed disposal mechanisms have been established for hazardous waste, medical waste, and electronic waste,” she stated.
Joint projects are carried out to spread zero-waste culture
Prof. Sarıbey also explained that the university actively participates in platforms hosted by the Zero Waste Foundation and carries out joint projects to spread the culture of zero waste and awareness of waste prevention in the academic community, continuing as follows:
“The Üsküdar University Sustainability Coordination does not see the THE Impact Rankings processes merely as a ranking success; it uses the criteria here as a guide for tangible, measurable, and documented operational transformations such as Zero Waste on campus. The acquired Zero Waste Certificates and sustainability reports are clear indicators of the university's institutional commitment to green campus and circular economy goals.”
Türkiye aims for a pioneering role in environmental diplomacy
Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller, Head of Üsküdar University Environmental Health Program, stated that the event holds strategic importance for Türkiye's environmental and climate policies.
Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller said, “The Zero Waste Forum clearly demonstrates that Türkiye has taken an important step towards its goals of being a pioneer in these issues, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East region, which we are part of and are most affected by climate change, ahead of COP31 to be held in our country. One of the most important outcomes of the forum was perhaps the clear announcement to the global public about the need for global cooperation and for the steps that must now be taken. I hope this event also contributes to the creation of effective policies at COP31 and their rapid implementation.”
Sustainable use of water resources and community participation issues came to the forefront
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş, Deputy Director of the Institute of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services, also stated that especially organic waste management, prevention of food waste, sustainable use of water resources, and community participation issues stood out at the forum.
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş stated that many topics were discussed at the Zero Waste Forum, from the zero-waste and circular economy approach to organic waste management and combatting climate change, from turning waste into economic value to green economy and climate finance.
Dr. Karakaş also stated that issues such as the role of local governments in transformation, community participation and social inclusion, prevention of food waste, sustainable management of water resources, biodiversity protection, climate justice, product reuse, and the right to repair were comprehensively evaluated at the forum, and explained that the zero-waste approach stands out as a holistic model encompassing economic and social transformation as well as environmental.
Resource recovery should be addressed in waste management
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş stated that it was emphasized that the zero-waste approach plays a critical role in combatting climate change, especially through organic waste, and said, “Due to the contribution of organic waste to methane emissions, source reduction and separate collection have been presented as priority strategies. It has been stated that waste management should be approached not from a disposal-focused perspective, but from a circular economy and resource recovery perspective. The contribution of compost, biogas, and biochar applications to emission reduction and the transformation of organic waste into economic value have been highlighted. The role of local governments and public-private partnerships in creating sustainable systems has been emphasized.”
What should be the investment, trade, and industrial policy on the road to COP31
Noting that climate finance and green transformation were also among the important agenda topics of the forum, Dr. Karakaş stated, “It was emphasized that with the decrease in renewable energy costs, energy transformation has accelerated, but regulatory frameworks are critical. The circular economy has been defined as a holistic system that includes not only recycling but also reduction, reuse, and recovery. It was highlighted that waste-to-energy, sustainable trade, and industrial policies support green transformation; and that data and standard compliance are important.”
Farmers should be active actors in the process
Dr. Karakaş also explained that the transformation of organic and agricultural waste into economic value was discussed, stating, “The importance of compost, biogas, and biochar applications for soil fertility and carbon sequestration has been emphasized. It has been stated that farmers should be active actors in the process and that local production models contribute to rural development. It was also expressed that empowering women and youth and cooperative-based structures increase sustainability.”
Noting that packaging systems and supply chain efficiency in reducing food loss and waste were also discussed, Dr. Karakaş said, “It has been stated that reuse and circular packaging systems increase resource efficiency. It was emphasized that digital technologies and data-based quality control systems are important in reducing losses. It was also expressed that policy instruments, incentives, and regulations support behavioral change.”
Right to repair for a zero-waste future
Stating that the extension of product life, and the economic and environmental benefits of repair and reuse were also discussed, Dr. Karakaş said, “It was emphasized that the culture of repair should be part of industrial policies. The role of local employment and SMEs was considered important. It was stated that durability, modularity, and reparability should be essential at the design stage. It was also expressed that the right to repair is strategic in terms of economic security and resource efficiency.”
Zero wastewater
Dr. Karakaş, stating that the importance of circular systems, data-driven decision-making, and digital monitoring technologies in water management was also discussed, continued as follows:
“The environmental impacts of plastic bottle usage and the risk of microplastics were emphasized. It was stated that local water treatment and reuse systems need to be developed. The active role of youth in water management and issues of access to finance were also discussed. It was expressed that water management is a multi-dimensional (technology, finance, governance) transformation.”
Karakaş also stated that it was emphasized that the separate collection of organic waste is critical in zero-waste systems, and said, “It has been stated that this approach makes recycling systems more efficient and reduces costs. It was expressed that producer responsibility, European Union regulations, and economic incentive systems support behavioral change. It was emphasized that ‘pay-as-you-throw’ systems increase recycling rates and that local governments play a key role in the transformation.”
Women leading the zero-waste movement
Dr. İnci Karakaş, stating that the relationship of zero-waste policies with biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate justice was also discussed, said, “It has been stated that women who received training on transforming household and organic waste into compost, biological fertilizers, and natural agricultural inputs eventually assumed entrepreneurial, educational, and social leadership roles. The importance of local communities and traditional knowledge was emphasized. The role of informal waste pickers in the system and the social justice dimension were discussed. It was stated that the zero-waste approach is not only a technical but also a social and ecological transformation model. It was highlighted that informal waste pickers constitute a significant workforce, especially in the south, and that the critical role of women in this field and social inclusiveness are decisive for the sustainability of projects.”
TİKA example
Dr. Karakaş, explaining that the relationship of the zero-waste approach with development cooperation and local economic models was also discussed at the forum, said:
“It was emphasized that waste is a source of economic value and employment. Türkiye’s zero-waste model and its international dissemination were conveyed. In the example of Türkiye, it was stated that within nine years of the Zero Waste Program, launched in 2017, the recycling rate increased from 13% to 37.5%, and approximately 90 million tons of waste were reintroduced into the economy. It was also noted that this model was transferred from Türkiye to other countries and that over 70 zero-waste projects have been carried out through TİKA in the last five years. Community-based approaches, local ownership, and social inclusiveness were stated as key success factors.”
Human participation is critical for success
Dr. Karakaş concluded her words by saying, “The strategic importance of the circular economy and zero-waste approach in terms of trade, local development, and carbon reduction was also discussed. The importance of digital waste management systems and citizen participation was emphasized. It was stated that neighborhood-based recycling centers are effective against the increasing waste pressure with urbanization. It was expressed that human participation is as critical as technology for success.”
