Minister Bayraktar emphasizes 'Zero Waste'

Minister Bayraktar attended the International Zero Waste Forum organized in Istanbul by the Zero Waste Foundation, established under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, Emine Erdoğan.

A Different Development Model

Speaking at the closing session of the forum, Minister Bayraktar stated that they do not see the zero waste issue merely as an environmental policy tool, and that this issue encompasses environmental policies as well, but represents a different development model in resource management.

10 percent of waste is converted into energy

Bayraktar emphasized that 100,000 tons of municipal waste is generated daily in Türkiye, noting that approximately 10 percent of this waste is converted into energy. He noted that the use of waste-derived fuels is rapidly increasing, particularly in the cement sector, resulting in annual energy savings equivalent to 500,000 tons of coal.

'2053 Net Zero Emissions' Vision

Bayraktar, stating that they are progressing toward the goal of a "Fully Independent Turkey in Energy," said, "We are working intensively to meet our rapidly increasing energy demand in line with our vision of 'net zero emissions by 2053.' In this context, energy efficiency, renewable energy, the use of domestic resources, and new technologies such as nuclear and hydrogen are among our key priorities. We aim to make the maximum contribution to our country's development by utilizing our energy and mineral resources in an efficient, environmentally conscious, sustainable, and domestically utilizing manner. Our goal is to have a Turkey that prioritizes people and the environment, has transformed energy and mining, is a net exporter, and is self-sufficient in resources and technology."

Hydrogen Action Plan

Bayraktar stated that they have developed smart, flexible, sensitive, and inclusive policy sets to advance the energy transition on a planned and sustainable basis, adding, "We are also working intensively on the Hydrogen Action Plan." Bayraktar emphasized that these roadmaps, plans, and projects aim to accelerate Türkiye's energy transformation toward the 2053 net-zero emissions target.

Grant Incentive for 726 Projects

Bayraktar stated that the municipality encourages the use of vegetable oil waste, non-food-grade agricultural waste, and animal waste as resources through the Renewable Energy Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), saying, "To date, we have provided grant incentives to 726 efficiency-enhancing projects for our industrialists. We have also implemented 73 projects aimed at recovering waste heat."

Renewable Energy

Bayraktar stated that they have increased the installed capacity of renewable energy from 12,000 megawatts in 2002 to 75,000 megawatts today, bringing Türkiye to 11th place in the world and 5th place in Europe in the renewable energy sector. Bayraktar noted that they aim to increase the installed capacity of wind and solar power from 37,000 megawatts to 120,000 megawatts in the next 10 years and to increase the electrolyzer capacity for hydrogen production to 5,000 megawatts by 2035.

Pass Evaluation Permit

Bayraktar stated that they have granted permits to license holders and public institutions and organizations to utilize waste generated from production in mining licensed areas, adding, “These recycled materials are effectively used in infrastructure projects such as dams, reservoirs, and roads.”

Rehabilitation at 182 Mine Sites

Bayraktar, noting that they have been carrying out the Turkey-wide Rehabilitated Mining Sites and Mining Social Responsibility Activities Project for over two years, shared the information, "As part of the project, rehabilitation processes have been successfully completed at 182 mining sites in 53 provinces to date. Thus, 23.4 million saplings have been planted on an area of ​​12,747 hectares."

6 Million 900 Tons of Waste Recycled

Minister Bayraktar stated that they see the Zero Waste Movement, launched in 2017 under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, not only as an environmental project but also as a vision for a new civilization. Bayraktar emphasized the importance of the Zero Waste Project in the ministry's waste management policies, saying, "We have established a Zero Waste Management System at our central campus and all our affiliated, related, and related institutions, and have provided significant training to approximately 11,000 employees on this subject. Over the last six years, together with all our ministry's institutions, we have disposed of over 26 million tons of waste and recycled 6.9 million tons. During this period, we have utilized more than 1 million tons of waste as alternative raw materials."

Minister Bayraktar noted the following: “We will continue to implement policies that will ensure energy supply security and sustainability, prioritizing social benefit in every step of our work.”

The award was received from Minister Bayraktar

Also at the event, Tübingen Mayor Boris Palmer, Germany, was honored with an award for his "Zero Waste City" project. Minister Bayraktar presented Palmer with the award.