Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation within the scope of the Zero Waste for the Future – Common Mind Platform, the Türkiye Plastic Waste Workshop addressed Türkiye's priorities and solution areas in combating plastic pollution on a multi-stakeholder ground.
During the two-day workshop, evaluations from different segments ranging from public institutions to local governments, from academia to the private sector, and from civil society to experts were brought together while working on policy and implementation proposals that could guide the 2053 Türkiye Plastic Vision.
The workshop, held in Istanbul on August 31–September 1, 2026, took place with the presence of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Throughout the program, topics aimed at reducing plastic pollution, using resources efficiently, and strengthening the circular economy were comprehensively evaluated.
The workshop was shaped in line with the holistic understanding put forward by the Zero Waste approach, which has gained global momentum under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan—Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chairperson of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation. The issue of plastic was not limited solely to the collection and recycling of waste but was addressed from a broad perspective ranging from production processes to product design, from consumption habits to reuse, and from recycling to human health and economic transformation.
Türkiye's Plastic Agenda Evaluated Prior to COP31
Held ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya from November 9–20, 2026, the workshop served as an important consultation platform contributing to the development of a common national approach in combating plastic pollution.
In the workshop, which also aligns with the ongoing preparation process under the leadership of Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, solution proposals regarding different stages of the plastic cycle were evaluated, and concrete steps that could contribute to Türkiye's climate and circular economy policies were discussed.
Samed Ağırbaş (President of Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 Climate Champion)
"We sought solutions to the plastic waste crisis in Türkiye across different tables. Over two days, representatives from various institutions contributed from their own perspectives. Every province and every sector in Türkiye has a different plastic issue, but the solution is common. All these differences represent various parts of the Türkiye Plastic Cycle. We must merge local experiences with national policies."
Ağırbaş also noted that they signed a new protocol with the Ministry of Interior, emphasizing that joint efforts with Governorates will make absolute success much easier to achieve.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal (Rector of Istanbul Technical University)
"The question of 'How will we do it?' is crucial for the solution. This question was taken into account and worked on during this two-day meeting. Although it may seem like a simple plastic or environmental issue, a solution is only possible by working together. We are the second country in Europe in terms of production and recycling, but we lag behind in added value. When discussing added value, we must consider not only technology companies but also our service sector."
Davut Gül (Governor of Istanbul)
"We have witnessed a historic week. You have implemented one of the best concrete indicators of governance. The sector is here, NGOs are here, and 17 of our ministries have participated. As we head to COP31, we will go with the results and concrete outputs of this workshop. Sometimes people ask, 'What do NGOs do?' These are exactly the kind of events we expect from NGOs, starting with the Zero Waste Foundation: Tangible, concrete, and voicing the needs of society."
All Stages of the Plastic Cycle Examined in 15 Working Tables
While the academic coordination of the workshop was carried out by the Istanbul Technical University Zero Waste Institute, 15 working tables were formed under four main thematic blocks to jointly evaluate the different dimensions of the plastic cycle.
At the closing, the prominent solution proposals from the 15 thematic tables shared with the public by Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal were as follows:
- Table 1 – Sustainable Plastic and Raw Material Production: Expanding the use of secondary raw materials and directing GEKAP (Recycling Contribution Share) revenues to investments supporting this transformation.
- Table 2 – Eco-Design and Packaging: Supporting eco-design practices with clear criteria and an adaptation calendar.
- Table 3 – Resource Efficiency and Clean Production: Increasing domestic production capacity in high-value-added engineering plastics.
- Table 4 – Green Transformation and Competitiveness: Developing traceability, testing, and certification infrastructures to protect the sector's competitiveness during the adaptation process to EU legislation.
- Table 5 – Single-Use Plastics: Conducting the transformation within a phased calendar and clarifying legislation regarding the use of recycled materials in food-contact products.
- Table 6 – Waste Collection and Recycling: Basing the system on separation at the source and supporting licensed businesses.
- Table 7 – Tourism and Public Living Spaces: Expanding refill and reuse models, especially in the tourism sector.
- Table 8 – Plastic Pollution in Natural Ecosystems: Increasing source separation capacity to prevent waste from reaching the seas.
- Table 9 – Plastic Use in Agriculture and Food Security: Managing agricultural waste through an integrated system linked to the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS).
- Table 10 – Micro and Nanoplastics: Developing common methods for detection and analysis, and strengthening laboratory capacities.
- Table 11 – Education and Social Transformation: Developing communication tools suitable for different target groups.
- Table 12 – Legislation and Inspection: Strengthening the system within the scope of extended producer responsibility.
- Table 13 – Green Finance: Creating transformation mechanisms that consider the technical needs of the plastic sector and cover the 2027-2031 period.
- Table 14 – Monitoring and Digital Transformation: Tracking plastic waste from the source to final processing using AI-supported systems.
- Table 15 – 2053 Türkiye Plastic Vision: Establishing Türkiye as a regional circular plastic hub capable of transferring technology and experience to Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia by 2053.
Workshop Outputs to be Transformed into Policy Documents
The Plastic Cycle Results Report, which will comprehensively gather the evaluations obtained during the workshop, is planned to be shared with the public in the coming days. Additionally, it is aimed to prepare Ministry-Based Policy and Evaluation Reports by evaluating the proposals emerging from the working tables under separate headings.
The multi-stakeholder approach put forward by the workshop is expected to strengthen local, national, and sectoral collaborations to reduce plastic pollution in line with the 2053 Türkiye Plastic Vision. These efforts, emerging during the COP31 Presidency process, aim to provide concrete policy inputs to Türkiye's environment and circular economy agenda.
