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Article

Evaluation of the Zero Waste Project in Istanbul District Municipalities from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Planning

by
Hatice Burçin Henden Şolt
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Alaplı Vocational School, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak 67850, Turkey
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11896; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511896
Submission received: 20 June 2023 / Revised: 14 July 2023 / Accepted: 26 July 2023 / Published: 2 August 2023
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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Abstract

:
Rapid migration towards cities is occurring due to economic and social reasons. Industrialization, urbanization, and changes in consumption habits are creating environmental problems. Sustainable urban planning is necessary to ensure people’s quality of life in future cities. The establishment of strategic waste management processes is crucial. This topic encompasses the awareness, education, adaptation, and implementation of them by urban residents. The “Zero Waste Project” was initiated in Türkiye in 2017, and local governments have a significant responsibility for its implementation. City administrations strive to create clean, healthy, contemporary, and livable environmental conditions for their stakeholders. The aim of this study was to examine the Zero Waste Project system, an important approach for planning sustainable cities. Istanbul has 39 district municipalities. In this study, the amount of waste collected by the municipalities affiliated with Istanbul within the scope of the “Zero Waste Project” in 2022 was determined. Data were obtained from the “Zero Waste Project Implementation” sections of the 2022 activity reports of the 39 district municipalities. Data on the quantities in the categories of packaging, glass, clothing and textiles, electronics, batteries, vegetable oil, pharmaceuticals, tires, motor oil, and wood waste were obtained. This help us understand, the implementation of waste management systems in Istanbul district municipalities. In addition, the “Zero Waste Awareness and Incentive” activities carried out in Istanbul district municipalities are emphasized. The Zero Waste Project has the potential to improve the sustainability of urban living. It can be evaluated as a participatory environmental policy in terms of sustainable urban planning.

1. Introduction

It is known that individuals prefer to live in cities than in rural areas. Rapid industrialization and unplanned urbanization can cause urban problems. In November 2022, the world population reached 8 billion people [1]. Today, 57 percent of the world’s population live in urban areas. It is estimated that this trend will continue by doubling the current size of the urban population by 2050. The world’s rural population has increased slowly since 1950 [2]. The global rural population is currently close to 3.5 billion. It is expected to decrease to 3.1 billion in 2050 [3,4]. Change in rural and urban populations, if managed well, can contribute to sustainable growth through increased productivity and innovation. City leaders must act quickly to plan for growth and provide the basic services, infrastructure, and affordable housing that their growing populations need [5]. Solving environmental problems is one such need [6].
The concept of sustainability is based on the understanding that natural resources are not unlimited. The Declaration of Stockholm was announced on 5 June 1972 at the UN Conference on the Human Environment, and it states that living in an environment that provides freedom, equality, and adequate living conditions is a fundamental human right. It emphasizes the prevention of waste of non-renewable resources and the necessity of protecting the environment, while achieving economic and social development. Due to the sensitivity towards the environment, June 5th was declared as “World Environment Day” [7]. In 1987, the Brundtland Report was published. The theme of this document was the “Common Future of the World” [8]. It was based on the principle of not compromising the quality of life of future generations when making investments today. The UN Conference on Environment and Development occurred in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The support for sustainable human settlements development was accepted under the title “Agenda 21” [9].
At the New York Millennium Summit in 2000, eight objectives were outlined. These objectives were to “eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure global cooperation for development, promote equality between men and women, decrease child mortality rates, increase maternal health, combat viral and bacterial infections, and promote environmental sustainability.” [10]. In 2002, the World Sustainable Development Summit was held in Johannesburg. The aim of the summit was to harmonize countries and stakeholders with the Millennium Development Goals [11]. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20, was organized in 2012. In Rio, it was decided to initiate a process to develop a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) [12]. At the 2015 New York meeting, a new sustainable development agenda was approved under the theme “Transforming Our World”. The 2030 agenda includes 17 sustainable development goals and 169 targets [13]. The Stockholm+50 Conference was also held in Stockholm on 2–3 June 2022. Stockholm+50 draws attention to the global interconnectedness of environmental problems. The most significant problems are climate change, the degradation and destruction of ecosystems, habitat and biodiversity loss, and pollution [14]. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals were established as a result of the Rio+20 sustainable development conference, “The Future We Want,” where Member States set the groundwork [15].
Cities offer different forms of living organization, each with their own unique qualities. Each city has its own unique makeup; it has geographical, demographic, economic and institutional features that make it different from other places. These differences play a key role in creating opportunities for environmental, social, and economic development. Not every city is equally suited for every type of industry or socioeconomic opportunity. Understanding what your city is good at and not so good at is the key to success [16]. The important thing is to provide physical urban infrastructure, while not forgetting about the social, economic, and ecological aspects. This is where sustainable urban planning comes into play. Preserving environmental balance is at the forefront of sustainable urban planning. It aims to effectively use natural resources in all physical, social, economic, and political plans related to the city. The participation of urban residents in the processes is emphasized. In the concept of sustainable urban development, a balanced distribution of functions such as housing, transportation, industry, and urban facilities is based on the correct analysis of the city’s existing qualities. Sustainable urban development plays a significant role in achieving livable cities in the future. Many scientists are conducting research on the concept of sustainability and its relationship with urban planning [17,18,19]. Satterthwaite focuses on the strong link between sustainable urban development and ecosystems. He draws attention to the relationship of each dimension of the city with development [20]. Alshuwaikhat and Nkwenti state that transparency and collaboration will support the balance of resource use/protection in the city’s planning processes. This is important not only for preserving ecological balance, but also for maintaining urban values [21].
Urban waste refers to the waste generated or discarded by users after social, economic, and cultural activities in urban areas. This waste is not classified as hazardous waste [22]. The United States Environmental Protection Agency categorizes urban waste as follows: “packaging, food waste, yard waste, furniture, electronic waste, automobile tires, and appliances” [23]. The zero waste philosophy aims to reduce the potential threats to the environment in the consumption behaviors of citizens. Products are designed with this in mind. This philosophy produces policies to reduce waste at its source and to cause minimal damage to the environment.
The aim of this study is to examine the Zero Waste Project system, an important approach for planning sustainable cities. There are 39 district municipalities in Istanbul. This article examines the “zero waste project activities” in the 2022 annual reports of these 39 municipalities. The Zero Waste Project demonstrates the integration into the city of a waste system based on circularity. It aims to prevent, reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. Therefore, the waste collection efforts of the selected 39 Istanbul district municipalities in relevant categories have been tabulated. Additionally, the analysis of societal campaigns organized to increase public support for the project are included. It is believed that approaches like the Zero Waste Project will contribute to the widespread adoption of the concept of sustainable urban planning.
The adoption of this project in cities will not only prevent environmental pollution in a physical sense, but also has the potential to bring about social solidarity and economic improvement. Sustainable urbanization includes situations and actions such as minimizing the damage to nature, prioritizing social welfare, turning to renewable energy sources, and increasing participation [24]. The implementation of sustainable urban policies is expanding from individual to societal levels. The support of citizens for sustainable services can provide individual benefits. For example, those who prefer public transportation or cycling instead of driving can earn economic profits. Moreover, societal benefits such as improved air quality in the city can be attained.

2. Concept of Sustainable Urban Planning

Sustainable urban planning is the process of managing the development of cities and settlements based on environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles. This concept aims to address the environmental challenges cities, reduce social inequalities, and support economic development. Sustainable urban planning is a comprehensive approach. Environmental sustainability includes the conservation of natural resources, energy efficiency, waste management, and the sustainable use of water resources. Social sustainability emphasizes social equity, health, safety, accessibility, and participation. Economic sustainability aims to create employment, promote economic growth, innovation, and strengthen the local economy.
Sustainable urban planning encompasses a range of policies, strategies, and actions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was endorsed by the UN in 2015; it is a multilateral agreement between all UN Members that lays out a roadmap for a more sustainable future. The Sustainable Development Goals mainly address inequality, targeting environmental, economic and gender-based issues. These goals prioritize partnerships in the search for solutions to problems such as hunger, poverty, education, sanitation and infrastructure. They aim to address global challenges such as climate change [25]. The SDGs emphasize the interconnected environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainable development by putting sustainability at the center [26]. The UN’s 11th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is to “make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” [27].
The main objective is to build a capacity for sustainable urbanization and participatory, integrated management. It is aimed to give importance to waste management. Thus, the amount of waste per capita will be decreased [28]. Economic development and improving the living standards of cities should be conducted without harming natural resources [29]. Within this framework, measures are created for preserving and increasing green spaces, constructing energy-efficient buildings, promoting public transportation, creating bicycle and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, improving waste management, and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources.
The implementation of these measures as urban services carries the nature of investment in future cities. Sustainable urbanization operates from a long-term perspective and aims for cities to be livable for future generations. This approach emphasizes meeting the needs of the community and improving quality of life, while reducing the environmental impacts. Additionally, it aims to ensure social justice and equality, while promoting economic growth in urban areas.
Sustainable urban planning requires collaboration and participation among local governments, urban planners, civil society organizations, and local communities. In this governance-based process, stakeholders’ views and needs should be taken into account and included in the decision-making process. Designing sustainable cities is not limited to physical waste collection actions alone. It is the result of changes and transformations in the cultural lifestyles of urban dwellers. It is possible to invest in future cities by making certain regulations in significant functions of the city, such as nutrition, housing, transportation, education, healthcare, entertainment, commerce, and employment. Some of these are listed below:
✓
Changing food consumption habits, supporting organic farming, emphasizing local food;
✓
Encouraging “energy-efficient building design” models in the construction of housing and other structures, prioritizing environmentally friendly material choices;
✓
The efficient use of water and prevention of water waste;
✓
Prioritizing renewable energy sources;
✓
Conducting inspections regarding genetically modified food chains, developing policies to prevent epidemic diseases, and supporting investment in the healthcare sector;
✓
Reviewing consumption habits in shopping, banning single-use plastics, and supporting the recycling of packaging waste;
✓
Creating sustainable transportation policies, supporting public transportation, cycling, and pedestrian transportation instead of individual vehicle use, while paying attention to accessibility in physical land use;
✓
Developing circular models in the economy and supporting local economic development;
✓
Preserving local and cultural heritage and prioritizing local values in social development;
✓
Supporting participation through emphasizing urban consciousness;
✓
Increasing environmental protection awareness in educational processes;
✓
Increasing the amount of public open green spaces;
✓
Improving waste management policies;
✓
Promoting disaster-sensitive urban planning policies;
✓
Contributing to sustainability through smart cities via appropriate technological advancements.
Sustainable urban development is contingent upon a human vision that enables social and ecological objectives in a particular system [30]. In sustainable urban planning, transportation planning focused on low-emission, nature-based, equitable, flexible, and circular development is essential. The same focus also applies to housing policies. Despite spatial differences, deficiencies in observing principles such as technical and technological constraints encountered at the local level, transparency, and accountability stand out as fundamental shortcomings in the planning and management of contemporary urban areas. This is an important factor in establishing a culture of sustainability [31].

3. An Example of Sustainability Initiatives: Zero Waste Project in Turkey

The Zero Waste Project is based on a utopian ideal of living without waste. It aims to prevent waste, promote the efficient and effective use of resources, and advocate for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Waste, in general, refers to materials that individuals no longer need or consider to have reached the end of their useful life. However, waste is an element that needs to be managed due to its ecological, social, and economic impacts [32]. Therefore, proper waste management planning has the potential to affect various functions of a city. In other words, urban waste management has the potential to contribute to social and economic development. Wilts, Von Gries, and Bahn-Walkowiak consider waste as a resource [33]. The zero waste approach is a philosophical concept that aims to redesign the use of urban resources. The zero waste approach deals with the interrelationship between human, urban, and environmental factors. Behaviors that reduce the amount of urban waste can lead to social change. Consumption habits can change in order to reduce waste. This can have an economic impact. This project aims to create an environmentally friendly city by taking into account the saving strategy. It strives to entrust a beautiful environment to future generations through the principle of sustainability [34].
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization launched the “Zero Waste” project in 2017. The main objective is to develop a waste control system within the scope of sustainable development principles. “Zero Waste Regulation” was announced in the Official Gazette in 2019. Zero waste is defined as follows: “An approach aiming to protect the environment, human health, and all resources by preventing/reducing waste generation, prioritizing reuse, and collecting the generated waste separately at the source and ensuring its recycling and/or recovery, thus reducing the amount of waste sent for disposal”.
The Zero Waste Management System is defined as follows: “A management system that includes all processes from waste prevention to reduction, separate collection at the source, temporary storage, separate collection, transportation, and processing, taking into account the elements of benefits and costs” [35]. The chronological development of the project is shown in Table 1.
It was first implemented in public institutions, shopping malls, hospitals, educational institutions, recreational facilities, and large workplaces. The main goal was to implement it comprehensively in all cities. The zero waste management model has a seven-stage roadmap (Figure 1).
With the regulation made within the scope of the Zero Waste Law, it is obligatory to complete the transition of public institutions and organizations to the Zero Waste Management System as of 1 June 2020 and of urban areas municipalities with a population of above 250,000 as of 31 December 2020. Within the scope of the Zero Waste Management System, wastes must be collected separately according to their category. It is essential to collect the accumulated wastes without mixing them. Wastes collected within the scope of the Zero Waste Management System are processed in waste processing facilities that have obtained an activity certificate/environmental license from the Ministry [36].
The procedures to be performed are explained in the “Zero Waste in Institutions and Organizations Application Guide”. There are guides for the sectors of education, health, tourism, and industry, shopping facilities, business centers, and airports. In addition, a guide was published to help local administrations establish the system. It is important to ensure the recycling/recovery of wastes in accordance with the legislation “in accordance with the Environmental Law”, without harming the environment and human health. Alternative places where the wastes collected within the scope of the Zero Waste Management System can be disposed are presented. It is a priority to give the waste to local administrations that have a zero waste system certificate. A “Zero Waste Certificate” is given to the places that establish the Zero Waste Management System. In the first stage, a certificate is obtained at the basic level. Then, following a year’s work and development, there is the option to obtain a qualified certificate at the silver, gold and platinum levels. A “Provincial Zero Waste Management System Plan” has been prepared for each province due to the decision of the Local Environment Board under the chairmanship of the provincial administrative chief. Within the framework of this plan, the transition of buildings and campuses, including residences, to the system is ensured [37]. In total, 164,000 buildings and campuses have transitioned to the Zero Waste Management System and have been awarded a zero waste certificate. Categorized waste bins were placed in institutions that have received zero waste certification. Zero waste awareness training has been provided to 19 million people [38]. A provision is made for the establishment of a temporary storage area where wastes are temporarily held before going to a disposal or recovery facility. There is a color scale. Blue for paper and cardboard waste, yellow for plastic waste, green for glass waste, grey for metal waste, brown for organic waste, black for non-recyclable waste, white for food waste, transparent for hazardous and electronic waste, purple for bread leftovers. Medical waste must be collected in red bags and stored in orange buckets and containers according to the regulation on control of medical waste [39].
Separately collected plastic, paper, glass, and metal waste are sent to recycling facilities. Compost is made from vegetable and fruit waste and used in plant areas. Vegetable oil waste, electrical and electronic waste, batteries, and medical waste are collected. Records of all incoming and outgoing waste are kept in the temporary storage area. This allows traceability and necessary improvements to be made.
As seen in Figure 2, the duties and responsibilities of municipalities in Türkiye are defined in Article 14 of the Law No. 5393 [40].
Guides have been published for target locations and institutions in the Zero Waste Project. The services described in the book prepared for municipalities overlap with the duties in the Municipal Law. This reveals the importance of the Zero Waste Project as a sustainable urban service.

4. Materials and Methods

The Zero Waste Project was launched in Türkiye in 2017. It is an important model for the sustainable urbanization of the country. In this study, “waste collection data for 2022” from Istanbul district municipalities are evaluated within the framework of Zero Waste Project. Istanbul is the subject of the study. The population of Istanbul in 2022 was 15,462,452 people, which is 18.65% of Türkiye’s total population. There are 39 district municipalities. The Bosphorus divides the city into two continents. Istanbul has 25 districts on the Anatolian side and 14 districts on the Asian side. Istanbul is Türkiye’s most populous city and an important economic, cultural, and historical center. It is located in the Marmara Region [41].
Data were collected from the annual reports on the Zero Waste Project in the 39 district municipalities of Istanbul. The annual reports of each of the 39 municipalities for the year 2022 were scanned. The amounts in the categories of packaging, glass, clothing and textiles, electronics, batteries, vegetable oil, pharmaceuticals, tires, motor oil, and wood waste were determined. The data obtained were collected in a single table.

5. Results and Discussion

Statistics on the waste across Türkiye were published by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2018 and 2020. The next report is planned to be published in December 2023–January 2024. A total of 104.8 million tons of waste was generated in Türkiye in 2020, 30.9 million tons of which was hazardous. Table 2 shows the distribution of waste amounts in 2018 and 2020.
When compared to 2018, the overall amount of waste grew by 10.5% in 2020. In Türkiye, the total amount of waste generated in 2020 was distributed as follows: 56.3% was sold or transferred to authorized waste disposal facilities; 24.2% was sent to landfill; 7.1% was stored at workplaces; 7% was retrieved on site; 3.2% was collected by municipalities; 1.7% was sent to incineration plants; 0.4% was used as filler or recycled back into nature; 0.1% was disposed of using other methods. Table 3 shows the waste disposal and recovery facility indicators for 2018 and 2020.
According to the data of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, an economic gain of TRY 62.2 billion was achieved. Between 2017 and 2022, plastic bag usage decreased by 62.5%. This resulted in a saving of 572 million cubic meters of water and 530 million kilowatt-hours of energy. A total of 180,000 tons of marine litter was collected. Since the beginning of the project, approximately 45.5 million tons of recyclable waste, including 25.4 million tons of paper and cardboard, 6.6 million tons of plastic, 2.6 million tons of glass, 0.7 million tons of metal, and 10.2 million tons of organic and other recyclable waste, have been processed by licensed facilities and contributed to the economy [43].
Waste services are provided in 1.387 of the 1.389 municipalities in Türkiye. Of the 32.3 million tons of waste collected in municipalities where waste service is provided, 69.4% was sent to landfills, 17% was sent to municipal dumps, and 13.2% was sent to recycling facilities, 0.4% was disposed of by burning it in the open, burying, or deposited in a stream or on land. The average daily amount of waste per person collected in the municipalities is calculated as 1.13 kg. The average for Istanbul is 1.23 kg. The waste data of municipalities by region are shown in Table 4 [44].
As seen in Figure 3, the recycling rate, which was 13% in 2017, increased to 27.2% in 2021 and 30.13% in 2022. The goal is to raise the recycling rate to 35% in 2023 and 60% in 2035 [45].
Table 5 includes the amount of compost, recyclable materials, and recovered waste-derived fuel produced in Istanbul in 2017–2020 [44].
A map of integrated waste management activity areas within the scope of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is shown in Figure 4 [46].
Table 6 shows the categorized waste collection amounts of 39 district municipalities on the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. The data were taken from the “Zero Waste Services” section of the municipalities’ annual reports for 2022 and combined [47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85]. The difference in the amount of waste collected depends on factors such as population, density, land use, and sectoral distribution, in addition to the working standards of the relevant municipalities. There was also a measurement unit problem in combining the data in the table. While some municipalities counted waste plastic or tires in units, others counted them in kilograms. These units were converted into common unit data by the author.
The waste categories of the municipalities in the reports from which the data were obtained are in compliance with the Zero Waste Project. Nevertheless, it was observed that some municipalities do not provide data on all categories. Especially in settlements where industrial facilities are located, the amount of packaging and tire waste is higher. It is an expected result that the amount of waste is directly proportional to the population. The collection of waste vegetable oil is of great importance in terms of preventing marine pollution and protecting marine life. The high rates in this category indicate the success of municipalities in service planning. Some municipalities give the amounts of packaging and glass waste as a common value. Therefore, it is not possible to compare the glass waste collection data in all the districts.
The municipalities work with facilities of different sizes according to their population. The location of waste collection centers is arranged according to the accessibility of the citizens. Mobile waste collection services are also provided. Waste centers can be used jointly if the municipalities agree. Figure 5 shows the first class waste collection centers of Kadıköy, Beyoğlu, Arnavutköy, Gaziosmanpaşa, Şile, and Küçükçekmece municipalities.
Figure 6 shows examples of where waste collection units have been placed in municipalities in urban public spaces. This practice is not only beneficial for the physical collection of waste, but also for urbanites to acquire sustainable behavior patterns. Sustainability can be implemented at various levels, from individual actions to significant policy changes at the corporate and government levels. For example, individual efforts, such as investing in energy efficiency, recycling, conserving water, and supporting sustainable farming practices, contribute to sustainability. Additionally, it is important for companies to adopt sustainable business models, invest in green technologies, and manage their environmental and social impacts. Governments need to develop sustainability policies, regulations, and incentives to promote sustainable practices. The Zero Waste Project encompasses elements that can trigger these actions.
The Zero Waste Project enables the reduction of waste collection costs, the recycling of materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic for economic gain, an increase in awareness among city dwellers, and the continuous utilization of storage areas. By recycling 1 ton of paper, the cutting down 17 trees can be prevented, resulting in a saving of 4100 kWh of energy and 28 cubic meters of water. Consequently, 177 kg less greenhouse gas emissions will be released [86]. All collected waste batteries are disposed of by the Association of Portable Battery Producers and Importers (TAP) in a controlled manner at regular solid waste sites. TAP organizes waste battery collection competitions in schools and municipalities. Various awards are given to the winners [87].
In order to promote the Zero Waste Management System, it is important to carry out training and awareness-raising activities for target groups and to encourage their participation in the implementation. On 30 March, World Zero Waste Day is celebrated with various activities across Türkiye. Within the scope of the Zero Waste Project, municipalities organize training programs for students and citizens. Moreover, participation in the project is encouraged by distributing promotional posters of campaigns that give rewards in return for waste collection. Some municipalities are also developing mobile apps for Zero Waste, where people can earn rewards by collecting and recycling waste. In 2019, a “Local Government Zero Waste Congress and Exhibition” was held in Istanbul to facilitate information sharing between municipalities. The event also included presentations by scientists to raise awareness about the project. With the “Bring Your Garbage, Collect Your Points, Spend on Your Shopping” project, citizens are offered the opportunity to earn money by participating in waste collection. Magnetic cards are distributed to citizens. Collected waste points are transferred to these cards. People can use the points they earn in the contracted supermarkets within the scope of the campaign.
Today, the rapid depletion of global resources and increasing environmental problems bring the concept of sustainability to the fore. The concept of sustainability, which has economic, social and environmental dimensions, is the guiding principle for the organization of services in cities. Designing the cities of the future using only an economic and technological approach can create problems in the ecological balance. The main objectives of sustainable urban planning include not only economic profitability, but also social development. Sustainability involves efforts to realize social and economic recovery processes without harming the environment.
Environmental sustainability is not just about preventing environmental pollution. It focuses on the healthy continuity of ecosystems. In urban planning, environmental sustainability means producing policies that will protect the city’s water resources, biodiversity, and green spaces. The industrial sector is more active in cities than it is in rural areas. Planned development of economic activities and efficient and effective use of resources in employment creation policies are important. It is necessary to promote innovative industries that are compatible with sustainability in cities.
As explained using the examples, the Zero Waste Project is a roadmap showing how urbanites can contribute to sustainability. It is a project that explains and puts into practice the philosophy of waste management. It is based on the idea that progress and improvement in societies can be achieved without harming natural resources. It is a planning investment with a long-term impact. Its target audience is all citizens. It covers a framework that involves people and society.

6. Conclusions

The Zero Waste Project is a project that adopts an environmentally friendly approach aiming to minimize waste generation, promote the recycling of waste, and use resources more efficiently. This project has a strong relationship with sustainable urban planning. It is an approach that takes into account factors such as the efficient use of resources, environmental awareness, social equality, and economic development to ensure that a city is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. It can support social and economic development through waste reduction.
This study aims to examine the Zero Waste Project system activities of the 39 municipalities of Istanbul in their annual reports for 2022. The Zero Waste Project shows the integration process of a waste system. Each municipality has a climate change and zero waste department. Waste collection, recycling, and disposal policies exist according to the categories included in the Zero Waste Project. The governance environment and public participation play a significant role in the success of sustainable urbanization. The educational, promotional, and awareness-raising activities of the Zero Waste Project contribute positively to the sustainability of cities.
For the success of any project, it is necessary to monitor and report its results. In this study, the author analyzed the amount of waste by scanning the activity reports of the 39 district municipalities in Istanbul. Thus, the amount of waste collection can be seen based on the characteristics of municipalities such as location, population, industry, and tourism. Corrective and preventive activities are necessary for municipalities to plan their future services.
With the transition to the Zero Waste Project, the number of waste disposal and recovery facilities has increased over the years. According to the ministry data, there has been a decrease in the use of plastic. Municipalities’ participation in the project is essential. The amount of waste produced per person per day in Istanbul is higher than the national average. There has been an increase in recycling rates since the beginning of the project in 2017. Centers have been established where categorized waste are collected and taken away. The number of training and awareness-raising campaigns should be increased. This will increase the public’s commitment to the project.
The sustainable planning approach has a unifying effect on society. It is strengthened through the collaboration and coordination of urban actors. With the participation of the central government, local government, private sector, civil society organizations, and the public, contributions can be made to the lives of future generations. When sustainable urbanization is carried out by the right organization, it can trigger not only future-oriented protection, but also current economic and social improvement processes. The promotion and support of the Zero Waste Project’s dissemination and implementation can have a significant impact on national development.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data can be retrieved from mentioned databases.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. The Zero Waste Management model.
Figure 1. The Zero Waste Management model.
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Figure 2. The duties and responsibilities of municipalities.
Figure 2. The duties and responsibilities of municipalities.
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Figure 3. Recycling rate of Zero Waste Project in Turkey over the years.
Figure 3. Recycling rate of Zero Waste Project in Turkey over the years.
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Figure 4. Istanbul integrated waste management activity map.
Figure 4. Istanbul integrated waste management activity map.
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Figure 5. First class waste collection centers.
Figure 5. First class waste collection centers.
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Figure 6. Examples of waste collection units placed in urban public spaces.
Figure 6. Examples of waste collection units placed in urban public spaces.
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Table 1. Chronological development of Zero Waste Project.
Table 1. Chronological development of Zero Waste Project.
2017Zero Waste Project started.
2018Zero Waste Information System was established.
2018Turkish First Lady attended the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations. She signed the “Global Zero Waste Declaration of Goodwill” with Secretary-General Guterres.
2018The following regulations were made in the Environment Law of the Republic of Turkey:
  • Charging for plastic bags,
  • Recycling participation share application,
  • Mainstreaming zero waste management systems,
  • Deposit-refund system arrangements
2019Zero Waste Regulation has been published.
2019With the Eleventh Development Plan, zero waste has become a country policy.
2020Turkish Environment Agency was established.
2020Zero Waste Management System Implementation Guides have been published.
2021Paris Agreement Approved.
2021Turkey Green Deal Action Plan was prepared.
2021Principles and Procedures for the Establishment and Operation of Waste Collection Centers were published.
Procedures and Principles on Zero Waste Practices were published.
2022Zero waste is included in the Medium and Long Term Programme.
2022Climate Change Presidency was established.
2022Waste Collectors Circular published.
Table 2. Waste amount distribution, 2018–2020 [42].
Table 2. Waste amount distribution, 2018–2020 [42].
SectorHazardous Waste AmountNon-Hazardous Waste AmountTotal Waste Amount
201820202018202020182020
Manufacturing industry workplaces3,677,3204,597,27419,203,82419,270,59322,881,14423,867,866
Thermal Power Plants13,80510,01226,113,32924,365,34326,127,13424,375,356
Mining managements11,176,58126,044,7306,210,4481,537,14417,387,02927,581,875
Organized Industrial Zones11,733116,720175,110162,347286,843279,067
Health Organizations86,916106,5702538311389,454109,683
Household12,218135228,086,99628,633,66528,099,21428,635,018
TOTAL15,078,57330,876,65879,792,24573,972,20694,870,818104,848,864
Table 3. Waste disposal and recovery facilities indicators in 2018 and 2020 (1),(2).
Table 3. Waste disposal and recovery facilities indicators in 2018 and 2020 (1),(2).
20182020
Number of waste disposal and recovery facilities22232752
Number of waste disposal facilities166184
Controlled landfill site
Number159174
Capacity (m3)798,926,8931,208,369,189
Rest of capacity (m3)474,284,089661,189,005
Total amount of waste landfilled (Tonnes)55,878,88377,762,423
Amount of hazardous waste landfilled (Tonnes)16,753,04731,884,941
Amount of non-hazardous waste landfilled (Tonnes)39,125,83645,877,482
Incineration plant
Number710
Capacity (Tonnes/year)757,002842,222
Total amount of waste incinerated (Tonnes)493,885570,980
Amount of hazardous waste incinerated (Tonnes)64,567c
Amount of non-hazardous waste incinerated (Tonnes)429,319c
Number of waste recovery facilities20572568
Composting plant
Number89
Capacity (Tonnes/year)482,890651,150
Total amount of waste composted (Tonnes)138,054127,046
Compost produced (Tonnes)35,43734,834
Co-incineration plant
Number4050
Total amount of waste co-incinerated (Tonnes)1,069,3601,298,579
Amount of hazardous waste co-incinerated (Tonnes)521,516542,127
Amount of non-hazardous waste co-incinerated (Tonnes)547,844756,452
Other recovery facilities (3)
Number20092509
Total amount of waste recovered (Tonnes)46,872,42047,642,204
Amount of hazardous waste recovered (Tonnes)1,166,3801,810,315
Amount of non-hazardous waste recovered (Tonnes)45,706,04045,831,889
TurkStat, Waste Statistics, 2020. Figures in table may not add up to totals due to rounding. c: Confidential data. (1) The associated technique includes the amount of waste from facilities with authorization for multiple waste management and recovery techniques. (2) Capacities of waste disposal and recovery plants which are not in operation are also included. (3) It covers the centers that recover waste plastic, paper, metal, and other materials.
Table 4. Waste data of municipalities by regions.
Table 4. Waste data of municipalities by regions.
RegionAmount of Collected Waste (Ton/Year)Population in Regions with Waste ServiceAverage Amount of Waste per Capita (kg per Person/Day)
Marmara11,459,05626,718,8871.17
Aegean4,990,62910,267,4261.33
Mediterrenian4,475,64110,424,2691.18
Central Anatolia4,424,26511,631,7981.04
Southeastern Anatolia2,945,4708,390,6910.96
Blacksea2,102,0565,881,1500.98
Eastern Anatolia1,927,3564,889,9931.08
Turkey32,324,47278,204,2131.13
Table 5. Amount of recovery from waste by years.
Table 5. Amount of recovery from waste by years.
Recovery Data2017201820192020
Amount of Compost Produced (ton)18,47414,67316,50319,510
Amount of Recyclable Material(ton)10,9749163883212,506
Amount of Refuse Derived Fuel(ton)13,29121,75726,41714,415
Electricity Generated from Landfill Gas(MWh)389,299376,765477,608455,892
Table 6. Amounts of Zero Waste Project categories waste collection activities of 39 district municipalities of Istanbul.
Table 6. Amounts of Zero Waste Project categories waste collection activities of 39 district municipalities of Istanbul.
District NameArea (Square Kilometers)PopulationWaste Collection Amounts by Zero Waste Project Categories
European Side3474.359,959,793Packaging Waste (Ton)Glass Packaging
(Kg)		Clothing and Textiles
Waste (Kg)		Electronics Waste (Kg)Waste Battery (Kg)Vegetable Oil Waste
(Kg)		Waste Medicine (Kg)End-of-Life Tire Waste (kg)Waste Motor Oil Amount (kg)Wood Waste (Ton)
1Arnavutköy450.35296,709266944,580180,800135011451400500
2Avcılar42.01436,8972642 329,00045052441,207 288212006589
3Bağcılar22.36737,20612,161 233,0402820248270,378350032,750
4Bahçelievler16.62592,3712300 14,850
5Bakırköy29.64226,2293416 70,3201000100029,000
6Başakşehir104.3469,924579258,166425,00012,5011487182,264 16,750
7Bayrampaşa9.61269,9504664 71,000 5079,057 130,000
8Beşiktaş18.01176,5133261646,500174,2452461 258,1363150
9Beylikdüzü37.78365,572 3600
10Beyoğlu8.91226,3962,306,170109,510119,7404781 224,2762350
11Büyükçekmece139.17257,3623252 110,93522151632111,710652
12Çatalca1115.1374,975178210962 29012100
13Esenler18.43446,27612,870 250328,120
14Esenyurt43.13957,3985000 179,93024051500290,000
15Eyüpsultan228.42405,8453226 131,0801593745125,885
16Fatih15.59396,5942306 112,864 78,631
17Gaziosmanpaşa11.76487,7783228 204,00014,000245425,0001081
18Güngören7.21280,2991868487,00068,000205246198,000
19Kağıthane14.87442,4152265650,000 750120072,000
20Küçükçekmece37.54789,63353,738 6684516585,830
21Sarıyer175.39335,2987,892,000 246,23010003335398,947 19,799144,173
22Silivri869.52200,215 17,467
23Sultangazi36.30537,4881,629,720 430,6401550162817131300 212,700
24Şişli10.71266,7935905152,74563752292160389,868
25Zeytinburnu11.59283,6576895 79,00025,000200021,000260010,000
Asian Side1868.87550,265.9
26Adalar11.0516,033647 10,2004325 240
27Ataşehir25.20422,59411,497329,940 10,50574873013440360,00089
28Beykoz310.36246,1106943 2620171048,053850
29Çekmeköy148.09273,658278021,300255,00073096240,000600
30Kadıköy25.09481,98361361,912,00045,50018,0005450553,0002950
31Kartal38.54474,5142883 188,2201924940112,713 145,075100,155
32Maltepe52.97515,0214,330,335 188,33043151973150,780
33Pendik179.99726,48111,350166,000409,24014,6306709205,7207.46029,600
34Sancaktepe62.42456,86119,850242,000 43001047555,200
35Sultanbeyli29.10343,3184,233,180117,450255,220 67823,361 43,035
36Şile781.7237,904571,950 44,690 34825001400120,230
37Tuzla123.63273,60812,200345,000199,00072561847259,00050337,400 6238
38Ümraniye45.31713,80316,310138,500436,00029005740246,0005850321,20042,100
39Üsküdar35.33520,77110,551411,000 25801980212,41522009520 13,524
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Henden Şolt, H.B. Evaluation of the Zero Waste Project in Istanbul District Municipalities from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Planning. Sustainability 2023, 15, 11896. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511896

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Henden Şolt HB. Evaluation of the Zero Waste Project in Istanbul District Municipalities from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Planning. Sustainability. 2023; 15(15):11896. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511896

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Henden Şolt, Hatice Burçin. 2023. "Evaluation of the Zero Waste Project in Istanbul District Municipalities from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Planning" Sustainability 15, no. 15: 11896. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511896

APA Style

Henden Şolt, H. B. (2023). Evaluation of the Zero Waste Project in Istanbul District Municipalities from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Planning. Sustainability, 15(15), 11896. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511896

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