Turkish first lady reveals initiative aimed at global Zero Waste standardization

By Ayse Sensoy Boztepe

Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan on Wednesday revealed initiatives aimed at establishing a global Zero Waste standardization applicable worldwide.

The announcement came during the second meeting of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, held on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Erdogan underlined the significance of increasing global awareness of the need for Zero Waste, emphasizing that the second celebration of International Zero Waste Day on March 30 presented a valuable opportunity for environmental volunteers worldwide.

Erdogan said necessary steps are being taken to implement previously suggested projects, such as the Global Zero Waste Awards, Zero Waste Fund, and an international Zero Waste Institute.

"As one of the new projects ahead, in cooperation with the UN, we have started preparing guide publications for countries and organizations that want to implement the Zero Waste initiative. We are also launching our initiatives for a global Zero Waste standardization that will be valid everywhere in the world and will conjoin all Zero Waste practices."

Türkiye organized special events targeting all age groups both inside the home and at its foreign missions, Erdogan said.

“The Global Commitment to Zero Waste, which was opened to civilian participation with the first digital signature of President Erdogan, is growing stronger day by day with the support of thousands of people from different countries of the world. We need to increase the number of people that we touch and that will lead to even a small change in their lives.”

With this in mind, Erdogan proposed the implementation of a goodwill ambassadors initiative under the work of the advisory board. “I believe that with the support of the people – identified according to sectoral and regional criteria – who are known for their environmental work, there will be no one that our message fails to reach," she added.

Erdogan expressed a desire for the rapid global spread of compost practices and the use of soil-friendly organic fertilizers, which started in public institutions in Türkiye and then spread to households, noting the importance of discovering and encouraging local composting practices.

Citing Türkiye's Zero Waste Project as a crucial example for other countries, Erdogan noted: “In our country with a population of 85 million people and a rich local and regional culture, the successes achieved over a short period of time by a total mobilization will be a source of inspiration for other countries. There is a fact that good practices, especially our Zero Waste Project, reveal that Zero Waste provides significant benefits not only to nature but also to economic development. In our country, since the beginning of the project, we have managed to recycle 59.9 million tons of waste and save $6 billion.”

Stressing the importance of considering the mission of Zero Waste a human rights struggle, the first lady stressed the need to recognize the power and responsibility we hold. "Global issues like hunger, drought, and pollution stem from resource mismanagement and modern consumption culture," she said.

Addressing the devastating effects of war and conflicts, Erdogan stated that these issues should be addressed by the board due to their deep impact on humanity and the environment.

"Israel has waged war not only against Palestinians but also against the land, air, water, and all living beings of a country," she said, adding that she hopes this brutal genocide ends soon, envisioning a world where humans and all creatures live together in peace and tranquility.

The meeting was moderated by Guy Bernard Ryder, UN under-secretary-general for policy, who thanked Erdogan for her global leadership in the Zero Waste Project and noted the many countries that have taken the project as an example.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan