Zero Waste Initiatives Raised Recovery Rates in Türkiye
Türkiye’s waste recovery has risen to 37% as international efforts scale focus on circular infrastructure.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Environmental
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Emine Erdogan addressed the New York Climate Week to highlight global plastic waste trends, noting that 7 billion of the 9.2 billion tons of plastic produced since 1950 have become waste. The remarks emphasized institutional shifts toward circular economies and durability, referencing Türkiye’s own progress in waste management.
Why it matters
The movement seeks to address the massive accumulation of non-biodegradable material by advocating for systemic policy changes and individual behavioral shifts. These efforts aim to counteract the environmental impact of long-term consumption patterns.
Türkiye increased its national waste recovery rate from 13% to over 37% by implementing Zero Waste practices. This shift follows a global trajectory where 7 billion tons of plastic waste have accumulated out of 9.2 billion tons produced since 1950.
The players
Emine Erdogan
The first lady of Türkiye who chairs the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste.
UN General Assembly
The primary deliberative body of the United Nations that adopted the 2022 Zero Waste resolution.
The details
The Zero Waste movement focuses on infrastructure development that prioritizes the durability, repairability, and reusability of products. This approach involves both national policy implementation and individual behavioral changes to reduce waste generation. Practices first established at the Turkish presidential complex in 2017 serve as the pilot framework for these broader environmental efforts.
Timeline
1950: Global plastic production tracking began.
2017: Zero Waste practices were launched at the Turkish presidential complex.
2022: The UN General Assembly adopted a Zero Waste resolution.
September 2026: Emine Erdogan spoke at New York Climate Week.
November 2026: Türkiye will host COP31.
The Tech Race
This development aligns with the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste to modernize global consumption and recovery standards. It marks a significant effort to bridge local infrastructure gains with international climate policy ahead of the upcoming COP31 summit.
The movement promotes infrastructure changes that prioritize product repairability and reusability over single-use consumption. These shifts anticipate a transition toward standards where manufacturers are increasingly held accountable for the lifecycle of their products.
The takeaway
The trajectory of global waste management is moving toward mandatory circularity policies and increased recovery benchmarks. Stakeholders should monitor the outcomes of COP31 in November 2026 for potential new international standards on product durability.
What happens next
Türkiye is scheduled to host the COP31 climate conference in November 2026, which will likely serve as the next major international forum for Zero Waste policy discussions.
Further reading
For additional context on sustainability trends, visit the Environmental section.
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