Contribution of Waste in Istanbul to the Most Urgent Problem of 21st Century:

Climate Crisis and Here Is What Needs To Change

Ayseli Karabekmez & Buse Yılmaz-Paksoy

Waste plays an important role in the climate crisis. Because of waste, many greenhouse gases, including but not limited to carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, are released into the atmosphere, and waste builds up, forming isles and the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastic is one of the most dangerous forms of waste created by humans because of its prevalence and durability. Plastic waste is very often sent to the landfill and then ends up in the ocean. According to Seeker, “some estimates hold that by 2050, there could be as much plastic waste as there are fish.” Plastic waste in the ocean accumulates in gyres, which are large systems of circulating ocean currents. Over time the plastic decomposes and becomes particles smaller than 5 millimeters are called microplastics which eventually become a part of the ocean and living beings such as fish and corals. Additionally, plastics in the ocean negatively affect the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

Food waste is another form of waste that has a significant impact on climate change. According to NBC, “there is more food in our landfills than any other single material, including plastic.” When food rots, it produces methane which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

(Photo Courtesy of Buse Yılmaz-Paksoy)

According to the World Resources Institute, waste is responsible for 3.5% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in Turkey. It is also estimated that the waste management industry can reduce 20% of global greenhouse gases by landfill management, gas recovery, diversion from landfills to composting, and waste minimization.

(Photo Courtesy of Buse Yılmaz-Paksoy)

Since waste holds a very important place in the climate crisis likewise, waste management is very crucial. Especially a populated city like Istanbul makes a big contribution to waste. According to the Istanbul Municipality Waste Management Administration interview, “approximately 19 thousand tons of domestic waste is produced daily in Istanbul.” The waste is regularly collected and carried to solid waste transfer stations. These stations are present on both sides of the Bosphorus.

(Photo Courtesy of Buse Yılmaz-Paksoy)

They highlight that “the number of rounds by the district municipal vehicles to collect waste decreases to 600-700 from 2100-2200 due to the number of solid waste transfer stations. This causes a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions as well as visual pollution. Transfer costs reduce by 65% and the effect on the traffic also diminishes.” The municipality points out that packaging waste is sorted on the spot to be sent to recycling facilities in order to enhance the economy. However, waste is recycled by “only 1% in Turkey, and a higher rate in Istanbul, 6%.” The recyclable waste that is not sorted and sent to the landfills causes economic loss. Some of the domestic waste is sent to Kemerburgaz Retrieval & Compost Facility, and the organic waste is regained by compost practices and used as fertilizers in Istanbul's parks. Another facility that regains waste is Şile-Kömürcüoda Integrate Mechanic Biological Process Retrieval Facility, where fuel is produced from the waste and used in cement factories.

The only source of waste is not only the citizens of Istanbul. According to Politico, Turkey imported 600,000 tons of plastic waste in 2020. Istanbul municipality states that due to the insufficient separation practices, the imported recyclable waste cost less than the city’s own, encouraging recycling companies to import recyclable waste instead of collecting from citizens of Turkey. They also state that not all of the imported waste is recycled; many of it ends up in the landfill, eventually polluting the environment.

According to the municipality, for a more effective waste management system, the cost of waste collection should be decreased, and the problems regarding financing should be solved by the government. “Moreover, citizens should also be taking responsibility in many ways such as but not limited to reduction of waste, reusing what is considered waste and sortation of waste.” They also indicate that “Zero Waste Project Turkey is aiming to enhance the waste management system in Turkey and to increase the contribution of waste to the economy. To achieve their purpose, Zero Waste Project determined short-run goals with various municipalities and encouraged institutions to recycle more.” Not only did smaller municipalities and their related establishments join this movement, but also big institutions such as hotels, hospitals, schools, and universities joined this movement. “The Zero Waste Project also helped the charging of plastic bags, they opened up the conversation around deposit systems, and they set binding goals for many establishments.”

Istanbul Municipality believes in the importance of education regarding these issues; hence, they are working in order to educate citizens, especially the new generation, about waste management. They indicate that there are training in schools and scout camps for Zero Waste and the environment. Furthermore, in accordance with requests, they offer seminars in colleges and universities. In order to raise awareness, they organize contests and activities in schools about environmental issues. They highlight that they have organized a contest for middle school students called “Drawing and Slogan Contest Themed Zero Waste.” In 2020, during the week of reduction of waste, they created and popularized a hashtag called “#çöpünüazalt (#reducewaste),” and encouraged social media users to reduce their waste and call upon others to reduce theirs as well. This year, they are organizing a contest for robotics teams, which is named “Robotics Teams Are Competing for the Environment.”

Greenhouse gases are the main cause of the climate crisis, and waste is a big contributor to that. That’s why efficient waste management, especially in metropolitan cities, is imperative. Municipality waste transfer facilities and district municipal vehicles play a key role in waste management. Recycling plays a significant part in waste management; nevertheless, due to the lack of separation practices, only 6% of Istanbul’s waste is recycled despite 23-25% is a recyclable waste. The waste that could have been regained causes economic loss and negative environmental effects by ending up in the environment. Changing this system is based on the awareness of both the citizens and the municipalities. Reducing and recycling waste will result in fewer greenhouse emissions and a direct positive impact on the environment.

(Photo Courtesy of Buse Yılmaz-Paksoy)

Works Cited

"Food Waste is Making Climate Change Worse | NBCLX." YouTube, uploaded by NBCLX, Google, 30 Sept. 2019, youtu.be/RWk2xgGD748. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021.

Karabekmez, Ayseli, and Buse Yılmaz Paksoy. E-mail interview. Conducted by Istanbul Waste Management Administration, 3 Mar. 2021.

"The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Not What You Think It Is | The Swim." YouTube, uploaded by Seeker, Google, 3 Dec. 2018, youtu.be/6HBtl4sHTqU. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021

UĞURTAŞ, Selin. "Why Turkey became Europe's garbage dump." Politico, 18 Sept.2020, www.politico.eu/article/why-turkey-became-europes-garbage-dump/#:~:text=Turkey%20imported%20about%20600%2C000%20tons,as%20providing%20a%20crucial%20resource. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021.

World Resources Institute. Feb. 2020, www.wri.org/blog/2020/02/ greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country-sector. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021.