Istanbul expands smart recycling container project

Istanbul, Turkey, is expanding its smart recycling container project, which was introduced to the public “in order to recycle the packaging waste polluting the environment.”

Since the launch of the recycling initiative in September, the city has installed automated "smart containers" at six locations across Istanbul, from busy underground metro stations to elementary schools. Containers will soon be established in 22 schools across the city, determined by demand.

Istanbul mayor Mevlüt Uysal says the containers give people credit on their public transit cards for recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The containers accept bottles and cans of various sizes, up to 1.5 liters.

The recycling container project has been met with “great interest” by citizens, students and on social media, Uysal says in a recent release.

In order to expand the project, the city has launched a system that includes smart mobile transfer stations. The waste from the smart container will be collected, recovered and processed by the city’s waste management provider, ISTAÇ, the city says.

The project aims to “gain social responsibility and environmental awareness,” especially among children. In addition, the project will “develop the separation method at the source.”

Istanbul was awarded the the Zero Waste Innovation Award by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization at the Zero Waste Summit Nov. 1.

Uysal says the city plans to create new smart recycling containers for glass and batteries.

"I believe that smart recycling containers will serve in every part of our country in the coming years," he says.

First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan says, "As an environment awareness sample, Istanbul municipality's smart container initiative is remarkable for solid waste management.

"We can solve our environmental problems with the joint efforts of our citizens and municipalities," she adds.