02.06.2026 14:10
The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the Zero Waste Foundation and the Istanbul Governorship, will organize the Zero Waste Festival at Atatürk Airport from June 4-7. One million visitors are expected, and 1,500 events will be held across 39 districts.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Zero Waste Foundation, and the Istanbul Governorship held a promotional meeting ahead of the Istanbul Zero Waste Festival, which will take place on June 4-7 at Atatürk Airport.
The meeting, held at the festival area, was attended by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and the President of the Zero Waste Foundation Samed Ağırbaş.
Speaking at the meeting, Ağırbaş stated that the festival is not just an event organization, but part of a major social transformation movement for the future of Istanbul and Turkey.
JUNE 1-7 ISTANBUL ZERO WASTE WEEK
Ağırbaş noted that June 1-7 has been declared "Istanbul Zero Waste Week" in collaboration with the Istanbul Governorship, emphasizing that the Zero Waste Movement, carried out under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan, has become a globally recognized brand.
Ağırbaş stated that more than 1,500 events will be held across the city's 39 districts during Istanbul Zero Waste Week, and that a large-scale organization will be realized with contributions from municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and citizens.
Ağırbaş shared that they are conducting comprehensive work revealing the zero waste culture practiced in Anatolia for centuries, and that they will soon present the book "Zero Waste Practices in Anatolia" prepared by the foundation to the public.
Ağırbaş expressed that they aim for Istanbul to become one of the world's leading centers in the field of zero waste, noting that this vision is built on two main pillars.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 183 COUNTRIES WILL ATTEND
Ağırbaş said that representatives from 183 countries will attend the International Zero Waste Forum to be held on June 5-7 this year, with over 120 ministers, more than 200 mayors, and over 500 international stakeholders participating in the forum.
Ağırbaş stated, "We have achieved a structure with various stakeholders like the World Economic Forum and Davos. We are organizing the Zero Waste Forum with over 500 international stakeholders. Our second major event is the Zero Waste Festival, which we will celebrate together with our citizens, led by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. We expect 1 million of our fellow citizens at our Zero Waste Festival. We have concerts, events, and workshops here. Our main goal is to spread energy efficiency across these lands, and through our work in this context, to reduce energy consumption in the country, and I particularly want to emphasize that we are pioneering a first in Turkey."
Ağırbaş noted that they have adhered to sustainability principles in festival preparations, and that they utilized the infrastructure of the recent Etnospor Culture Festival held in the same area.
"IT WILL BE A FESTIVAL APPEALING TO CITIZENS OF ALL AGES FOR 4 DAYS"
"Our festival will be full of valuable content appealing to citizens of all ages for 4 days. In this regard, we will have exhibitions instilling zero waste awareness in our children and families, art transformation workshops, and a children's art street. Over 100 artists will present their works in the field of recycling and upcycling to our citizens, embedding environmental awareness in minds. We will have museum activities where we inscribe zero waste consciousness into people's lives. YTB and TİKA will have work related to international cuisines. In our waste-free kitchen area, we will reveal the secret of zero waste in the kitchen. Many activities related to energy efficiency will be held."
ISTANBUL GOVERNOR GÜL: WE ARE HOSTING AN IMPORTANT EVENT
Ağırbaş emphasized that waste generated during the festival will be separated and included in recycling processes, highlighting their goal to complete the organization with minimum waste.
Istanbul Governor Gül stated that they will host an important international event, recalling that the Zero Waste Movement has gained global recognition under the vision and leadership of Emine Erdoğan.
Governor Gül said, "Our goal is to make Istanbul the capital of zero waste. Is it possible? Yes. Our foundation culture of not wasting is actually a movement that forms the basis of zero waste. With this, through this festival, under the leadership of our Zero Waste Foundation and with the support of our Ministry of Energy, we will provide our fellow Istanbulites, especially our youth, with an unforgettable week. When they come here, they will experience an environment where money virtually does not pass, where families with children, young people, mothers and fathers can hold hands and spend time together, and they may want to repeat this experience."