Emine Erdoğan, the President of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, has spearheaded a global environmental initiative that continues to inspire young generations in their efforts toward sustainability and environmental awareness.
The 2026 International Zero Waste and Sustainability Competition, organized in collaboration with the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of National Education, has concluded, showcasing the remarkable contributions from students across Turkey and around the world.
During a ceremony held at Istanbul's Ataşehir Ahmet Keleşoğlu Science High School, esteemed guests including the Deputy Minister of National Education Celile Eren Ökten, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and Samed Ağırbaş, the Chairman of the Zero Waste Foundation and High-Level Climate Champion for COP31, presented awards to the winning students and schools.
“Our Objective is to Instill Environmental Responsibility in Students from an Early Age”
In her address, Deputy Minister Ökten emphasized that under Emine Erdoğan's patronage, the Zero Waste initiative has evolved into a global movement that redefines humanity's relationship with nature. She stated, "Our goal is to help students internalize their environmental responsibility from a young age, as we know that children learn best during their formative years. This belief drives our commitment, leading over 40,000 schools to achieve the basic level of zero waste certification and the establishment of nearly 2,000 recycling libraries.”
“The Competition Showcased Collective Production and Awareness”
Ökten highlighted that the 2026 International Zero Waste and Sustainability Competition represented a united front of students from diverse countries rallying around shared goals. The competition featured four categories that reflected various dimensions of sustainability, demonstrating how waste can be transformed into value through beneficial models, shedding light on global issues like food waste through short films, and raising awareness.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül noted the city’s ambition to become the “Capital of Zero Waste,” announcing that the very first Zero Waste Week will take place from June 1-7, with over 1,500 related events involving a broad array of stakeholders including public sectors, NGOs, and citizens. He expressed optimism about the long-term impact of these initiatives on the understanding and culture of zero waste among the youth.
“The Forum is An Event of Unprecedented Scale”
Governor Gül shared the remarkable scale of the upcoming Zero Waste Forum, expected to host representatives from 183 countries, including 120 ministers. He emphasized that this initiative, symbolized by the flag of Zero Waste, is a movement that transcends national boundaries.
“Istanbul Secured the Zero Waste Week Brand”
Samed Ağırbaş commended Governor Gül for introducing the Zero Waste Week to Istanbul, paralleling other global cities. He emphasized the participatory nature of the events, showcasing over 1,500 activities across Istanbul's 39 districts, aiming to capture the synergy of its 16 million residents.
“Collaboration with the Ministry of Education is Crucial”
The Zero Waste Movement, initiated by Emine Erdoğan in 2017, is now recognized in 193 countries. Ağırbaş reiterated the indispensable role of the Ministry of National Education, expressing gratitude to all involved institutions for their continued support.
The Competition Merged Original Projects Addressing Recycling, Upcycling, and Food Waste
The competition played a pivotal role in promoting environmental awareness, sustainable living, and encouraging youth to devise innovative solutions for ecological challenges, featuring categories such as “Upcycling – Beneficial Model,” “Food Waste Themed Short Film,” “Waste to Art,” and “Living School Gardens.”
Adolescents' Vision for Sustainability Shone Brightly
Students submitted projects focusing on various issues including recycling and sustainability, which underwent rigorous evaluation stages led by expert panels.
During the awards ceremony, prizes were presented to students who ranked in the top three of the “Food Waste Themed Short Film,” “Upcycling – Beneficial Model,” and “Waste to Art” categories, with three schools in the “Living School Gardens” category receiving representative Environmental Certificates.
The Zero Waste Fashion Show Captivated Attendees
The event featured a Zero Waste Fashion Show organized by students from Başakşehir TOKİ Osmangazi Primary School, impressing attendees with designs crafted from recyclable materials.
Winning Works Were Displayed
Following the award ceremony, attendees visited an exhibition showcasing the winning entries from each of the four categories, which included food waste-themed short films, upcycling projects, artworks made from waste materials, and applications for sustainable school gardens, engaging the visitors.
The event concluded with a traditional group photo, marking a significant milestone in enhancing visibility for the youth’s contributions in environmental and sustainability efforts.
