11th REW Istanbul event attracts more than 10,000 attendees

The 11th REW Istanbul trade fair, held June 11-13, 2015, brought together more than 10,000 attendees from 49 countries and 322 exhibiting countries from 22 countries, according to a press release issued by event organizers IFO Istanbul Fair Services and Tarsus Group. The international fair for recycling, environmental technologies and waste management was organized with support from the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

The event focused on technologies shaping the future of environmental sustainability, and was held in conjunction with the inaugural ISG Eurasia event, an occupational health and safety fair.

Event organizers reported that approximately 8 percent of attendees attended from such overseas locations as Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary and Iran, highlighting the growing awareness of the need for those technologies in these emerging economies.

In addition, professionals from the major industrial cities were well represented at the fair which saw increased numbers over previous editions, according to IFO.

Innovations and products on display at the fair included waste collection trucks, environment friendly cleaning vehicles, recycling and recovery technologies and waste water treatment systems.

In addition, a group of Turkish waste management and recycling associations decided to join forces at the event: The Association of Waste Paper Recyclers (AGED), Recyclers Association of Istanbul (IGEDDER), Association of Expired Vehicle Industrialists (OTASAD) and Associations of Recyclable Waste Materials Industrialists (TUDAM) merged under a common platform. The signing ceremony for the formation of a new organization named TAYDEP (Platform of All Waste Management Associations) also took place at the event.

REW Istanbul also featured the popular “Waste Ticket” application, launched successfully in 2014. Intended to focus attention on the goal of “zero waste through sorting at source,” under the program, attendees could use such items as used batteries, glasses, plastic or paper waste for admission to the fair.

Also part of REW Istanbul 2015 was a set of conferences designed to focus on future industry issues. Sessions included “Disinfectants Used in the Industry and their Environmental Impacts,” “Training on Awareness in Workplaces Before, During and After Disaster,” “Waste Management, Legislation, Problems encountered in Practice,” “Potable Water Disinfection Methods,” “Recycling of Medical Wastes,” and “Disposal of Expired Rubber.”

Launched as a separate but co-located event, ISG Eurasia 2015, focusing on occupational health and safety, was organized in the neighboring halls. With input from TIGIAD (Occupational Health and Businessmen Association of Turkey) and the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, solutions were demonstrated for technical equipment and materials required by employers who are responsible for occupational health and safety, risk analysis and specialized services.

The next edition of REW Istanbul, recognized internationally as one of the region’s most important trade fairs in its field, will be held in Tüyap Beylikdüzü Fair and Congress Center in June 2016. For more information visit www.rewistanbul.com.