In an interview with the Independent, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, emphasized that the International Zero Waste Forum, which will be held in Istanbul on October 17-19, 2025, aims to produce concrete solutions to the waste crisis affecting the world.
In an interview with Independent, one of the UK's leading newspapers, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, talked about the Zero Waste Movement launched in Türkiye in 2017 under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and the work of the Zero Waste Foundation, which was established in 2023 also under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. Mr. Ağırbaş said that the Zero Waste Foundation hosted an event on October 17-19, 2025 with the theme "Zero Waste in Action: People. Places. Progress" hosted by the Zero Waste Foundation between October 17-19, 2025 in Istanbul.
Inaction is No Longer an Option
In an interview with the Independent, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero WasteFoundation, emphasized that the International Zero Waste Forum will offer a holisticperspective that goes beyond just technical waste management approaches and focuses on transforming lifestyles: "This is no ordinary gathering. This is a space for those who refuse to accept inaction as an option."
Zero Waste Approach is Not Only Environmental, But Also Social Responsibility
Mr. Ağırbaş, who has a background as an architect and urban planner as well as a United Nations Habitat Consultant in the field of environmental policies, emphasized that his commitment to the zero waste life philosophy is based on his personal background. “Coming from a working class background, I know first-hand why it is important to live within your means and, more importantly, how to do it” said Ağırbaş, defining zero waste as not only an environmental but also a social responsibility.
A Cultural Transformation in the Fight Against Waste
Ağırbaş stated that the zero waste vision is not just a strategy; it is a call for a radicalbehavioral and cultural change: "This approach redefines our relationship with materials, consumption and the environment. It requires individuals, households and communities to adopt lifestyles that reduce waste at source."
Forum; Concrete Solutions and Lasting Impacts
Throughout the forum, a variety of interactive workshops, co-design sessions, exhibitions and online publications, local and global solutions to reduce waste generation will be discussed. The forum will highlight scalable innovations, especially from the global south, and will provide an opportunity to share good practices from different geographies. The forum, which is planned to minimize its own waste footprint, will serve not only as a theoretical discussion ground but also as a practical laboratory.
International Zero Waste Awards will be given for the First Time
The Global Emine Erdoğan Zero Waste Awards, which will be organized for the first time in partnership with the United Nations, will honor individuals, institutions and projects that have made significant contributions to the zero waste movement.
The awards will be presented in three main categories, ranging from innovative ideas to projects with long-term impact and sustainable practices spanning more than a decade. There will also be a special category reflecting the annual theme of International Zero Waste Day.
Mr. Ağırbaş emphasized the importance of the International Zero Waste Awards: "The awards are not just about recognition. They are about setting a global benchmark for what is possible when we bring together innovation, tradition and social justice in the search for a better future."
A Strong Message to the World from Istanbul
The International Zero Waste Forum is expected to position the zero waste approach as an important pathway to global environmental and social awareness. From policy reforms to financial solutions, from knowledge sharing to international cooperation, the outputs will be one of the lasting impacts of the forum.
