04.06.2026 17:11
"Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş announced that the Zero Waste Festival was designed entirely waste-free. Speaking to Haberler.com, Ağırbaş said they aim to prevent the generation of millions of tons of waste by reducing the use of single-use products at the festival."
Under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations Zero Waste High-Level Advisory Board and Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, the Zero Waste approach, which has turned into a global environmental movement, has gained a new meeting point with the Zero Waste Festival starting today in Istanbul. Organized in collaboration with the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the festival will welcome visitors at Atatürk Airport between June 4-7.
Speaking exclusively to Haberler.com within the scope of the Zero Waste Festival, Samed Ağırbaş, Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, stated that one of the most striking aspects of the festival is its waste-free organization approach.
"WE BUILT THE FESTIVAL COMPLETELY WASTE-FREE"
Responding to questions from Haberler.com host Melis Yaşar, Ağırbaş noted that they minimized the use of single-use products at the festival, saying, "We built this festival completely waste-free. That is, here, our citizens drink their water from their own glass thermoses, drink their coffee from their own cups, and by doing so, we prevent hundreds of thousands, millions of plastic bottles from being thrown away."
"I ALSO USE MY OWN THERMOS"
Emphasizing that sustainable living starts with individual habits, Ağırbaş stated that he also pays attention to environmentally friendly practices in his daily life.
Ağırbaş said, "I use my own thermos myself, I pay attention to using my own cup. By doing this, we reduce plastic use and prioritize sustainability."
BIG GAINS WITH SMALL CHANGES
Pointing out that preventing food waste is also an important part of the zero waste approach, Ağırbaş offered suggestions that citizens can apply in their daily lives.
"Store uneaten products in a container in the fridge. Don't take food you won't eat onto your plate," said Ağırbaş, noting that such simple habits can provide great environmental benefits.
"IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD"
Expressing that significant results can be achieved with the spread of environmental awareness, Ağırbaş concluded his remarks as follows:
"With such small changes, it is possible to change the world."
HABERLER.COM BOOTH ATTRACTS GREAT INTEREST
The Haberler.com booth, featured at the festival aimed at raising awareness on environmental consciousness, recycling, and sustainable living, also drew great interest from visitors.
At the booth prepared with the slogan "Zero Waste in Digital," the importance of environmentally friendly habits in the digital world is explained, while visitors are informed about digital cleaning and sustainable technology use.
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