World Recycling Day to Be Celebrated for the First Time on 18 March

The seventh natural resource on the planet has been discovered. Recyclable waste is recognized as the seventh natural resource after air, water, coal, petroleum, natural gas and minerals. To draw attention to these valuable resources lying in waste, the Global Recycling Foundation will celebrate 18 March as World Recycling Day for the first time this year. In Turkey, the Association for Sustainable Production and Consumption (SÜT-D) is conducting activities to highlight the importance of this day.

Time to Recognize the Ore Waiting in Waste

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Faculty Member and SÜT-D Chairman Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, stated that we generate waste, pollute our planet and change our climate everywhere – at home, at work, at school, on the road, while producing and consuming; therefore waste management is essential. Drawing attention to the need to recognize the ore awaiting us in waste and move forward toward the future with the economic power of recycling, Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu explained that waste is raw material for the green economy, which is our country's national wealth.

2019 Will Be the Year of Awareness in Recycling

Regarding how the idea of World Recycling Day originated, Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu said: "To support recycling and protect our planet, the Global Recycling Foundation proposed for the first time in October 2018 that such a day be celebrated. The International Recycling Bureau and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are also making great efforts for this meaningful day to be recognized as a United Nations Day. 18 March will be celebrated as World Recycling Day for the first time worldwide this year." Noting that many products we use or consume in our daily life subsequently generate waste, Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu stated that we must not forget that waste such as paper, wood, glass, metal, plastic, oil, rubber, batteries, automobiles and electrical-electronic equipment have the quality of recyclable raw material for industry. The SÜT-D Chairman made an appeal to everyone to contribute their waste to recycling and not waste it, in line with World Recycling Day. Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu said we should appreciate the value of recyclable waste. Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu noted that as SÜT-D, they will hold the VI. Istanbul Carbon Summit on 9 April 2019 at Istanbul Technical University's certified green campus, where stakeholder representation from the waste industry is high, and that they will draw attention to the importance of waste management in the green economy, the interaction between waste management and climate change; and they will highlight these issues at our country's leading platform with government authorities, local governments, the business sector, civil society organizations, academics and students. Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu emphasized the importance of adding green strength to Turkey's economy through the power of recyclable waste and the development of domestic recycling technologies.