By Utku Simsek
Türkiye’s Zero Waste project has been honored with the prestigious Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Award on Wednesday, said the Turkish Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry.
The award ceremony, held in Portugal, saw Mehmet Ozhaseki, Turkish minister of environment, urbanization and climate change, accepting the accolade on behalf of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Türkiye’s first lady Emine Erdogan.
Speaking at the event, Ozhaseki said the Zero Waste movement has become an environmental movement and an economic cycle model that the whole world looks up to.
Ozhaseki emphasized that the Zero Waste Movement both protects the environment and prevents waste. “We transform the waste generated in every aspect of our lives and bring it into the economy. Thanks to the collected waste, 185 billion (Turkish) liras ($5.8 billion) of economic gain was achieved and 498 million trees were saved. With our Zero Waste Blue movement, which we created to combat marine pollution, we have recycled 7.8 million tons of plastic waste," he said.
He noted that March 30 has been declared as International Zero Waste Day and is celebrated worldwide.
"Today, it is imperative that we question where we are headed in terms of the changes in our global climate and protect and save the future of our common home, our planet. Otherwise, we will leave a bad legacy to future generations. The award we received today is the result of a strong step we have taken as the Turkish nation to say 'stop' to this trend," Ozhaseki said.
Furthermore, the Turkish minister utilized the platform to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, urging the international community to ensure a cease-fire in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
In 2022, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the Zero Waste initiative presented by Türkiye, declaring March 30 as International Day of Zero Waste.
* Writing by Seda Sevencan