Speaking at the session titled “Local Solutions: Approaches Emerging from the Field” on the third day of the International Zero Waste Forum, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, emphasized that small daily habits can have a major global impact and that individual responsibilities form the basis of collective transformation.
Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), continued on its third day with intense participation.
Representatives from 108 countries around the world discussed environmental solutions developed by local communities in the field, sustainable development approaches, and the future of the zero waste vision.
Local Solutions: Approaches Emerging from the Field
The session “Local Solutions: Approaches Emerging from the Field” held on the third day of the forum demonstrated how the zero waste movement is being transformed not only at the policy level but also by local communities and individuals.
Examples ranging from cooperatives evaluating textile waste to women's initiatives producing reusable products and entrepreneurs converting organic waste into compost demonstrated that innovative solutions can be produced even with limited resources.
The session discussed how grassroots leadership can inspire policy-making and how a global solidarity network can be established. Participants agreed that community-based initiatives play a critical role in both social justice and environmental sustainability.
“Let's Use Thermoses Instead of Plastic Bottles”
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, pointed out in his speech at the forum that small daily habits can have a big global impact.
“Let's use thermos flasks instead of plastic bottles and our own cups instead of paper cups. These small changes will determine the fate of the world we leave to future generations,” said Ağırbaş, emphasizing that individual responsibilities form the basis of collective transformation.
Ağırbaş noted that 90% of the plastic produced to date cannot be recycled, stating, “Plastic that ends up in the soil takes 450 years to decompose. It is time to transform our production and consumption habits that are pushing the limits of nature.”
“Eight-Year Journey Revealed an Eighty-Year Global Impact”
Samed Ağırbaş stated that the Zero Waste Movement, launched in Türkiye in 2017 under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, revealed an eighty-year impact in eight years and created a global transformation model.
Ağırbaş said, "In 2022, the UN General Assembly, under Türkiye's leadership and with 105 countries as co-sponsors, signed a historic resolution declaring March 30 as International Zero Waste Day. Furthermore, Emine Erdoğan was elected chair of the Advisory Board established at the UN. This is a reflection of Türkiye's environmental vision on a global scale,“ he said.
”First Educate People, Then Transform Spaces“
Referring to this year's theme of the forum, Ağırbaş said, ”People are the world's most valuable asset. Without people, the world has no meaning. First, we need to educate people, then transform spaces. Only with this awareness can transformation become permanent," he said.
Ağırbaş stated that Türkiye has set an exemplary model by using zero-waste compatible materials in its post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, and that its recycling rates have earned international recognition. He also announced that Türkiye will strengthen its pioneering role in this field with the Waste Transformation Center to be established under the umbrella of the Provincial Bank.
Acting Together for Global Solidarity
The sessions held during the three-day forum, with the participation of more than 150 stakeholder organizations, demonstrated that zero-waste systems can be built not only at the administrative level but also at the societal level.
Samed Ağırbaş concluded his speech by saying, “Our goal is clear: to leave a better world for the next generation. We will achieve this with collective wisdom, determination, and solidarity.”
The International Zero Waste Forum, with the participation of representatives from 108 countries, once again demonstrated that a sustainable future is possible from the local to the global level.
Zero Waste in Action
The Zero Waste Movement began on September 27, 2017, under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan.
On December 14, 2022, at the UN General Assembly, the “Zero Waste” resolution was adopted by vote, with Türkiye as the main sponsor and 105 countries as co-sponsors, and March 30 was declared “International Zero Waste Day”.
Mrs. Emine Erdoğan was the keynote speaker at the first International Zero Waste Day event held in the UN General Assembly Hall on March 30, 2023.
At this event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the establishment of the “UN High-Level Advisory Council on Zero Waste” and offered the chairmanship to Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. Mrs. Emine Erdoğan accepted this offer and assumed the chairmanship of the council, which was officially established on April 12, 2023.
As part of the 78th UN General Assembly, an event titled “Towards a Global Zero Waste Movement” was organized at Türkevi in New York under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. At the event, President Erdoğan signed the “Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration” as the first signatory.
