Istanbul to Host Global Zero Waste Initiatives
Istanbul, Turkey – March 9, 2026 – Istanbul is poised to become the global epicenter of the zero waste movement, with new initiatives aimed at establishing the city as an international hub for sustainable practices. Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, announced these developments during an iftar program organized by the Zero Waste Foundation, emphasizing Turkey’s leading role in zero waste efforts worldwide.
Ağırbaş highlighted that Turkey’s zero waste endeavors have entered a new phase, both nationally and globally. The declaration of March 30 as ‘International Zero Waste Day’ by the United Nations marks a significant turning point in Turkey’s environmental policies. This decision, spearheaded by Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Movement and Chair of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board of Zero Waste Personalities, reaffirms Turkey’s commitment to sharing its expertise on a global scale.
Istanbul Zero Waste Week and Declaration
The first-ever Istanbul Zero Waste Week, scheduled for June, aims to solidify the city’s position as a global zero waste center. The events will take place at Atatürk Airport and include a Zero Waste Forum, a Zero Waste Festival, and various activities with international stakeholders. A key outcome of this week will be the ‘Istanbul Declaration,’ which is expected to be signed by 150 countries. “Our goal is to make Istanbul a global meeting point for zero waste,” Ağırbaş stated.
Turkey’s hosting of the COP31 Climate Summit in November will also play a crucial role in this process. The leaders’ segment of the summit will be held in Istanbul, while the general program will run from November 9-20 in Antalya. The Zero Waste Foundation is pursuing its work with a data-driven approach, and an International Zero Waste Data Center has been established in collaboration with the Turkish Statistical Institute.
First Zero Waste Institute and Economic Impact
Further strengthening its commitment, Istanbul Technical University will establish the world’s first Zero Waste Institute. This institute will offer master’s and doctoral programs to train experts in environmental and sustainability fields, according to Ağırbaş.
Since its inception in 2017, the Zero Waste Movement has yielded substantial results. The recycling rate has increased from 13 percent to over 36 percent, with 74.5 million tons of waste being reintegrated into the economy, generating an economic value of 256 billion Turkish Liras. These practices have not only saved energy, water, and natural resources but also reduced environmental impacts, contributing significantly to sustainable development.
The Zero Waste Foundation continues to lead these efforts, aiming for a more sustainable future for Istanbul and beyond.
