(MENAFN) Reports indicate that the Turkish first lady, Emine Erdogan, emphasized the importance of widespread participation in zero waste efforts rather than relying on a small group of perfectionists. As chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Council on Zero Waste, she stressed that millions of people must adopt environmentally responsible habits to make a meaningful impact.

Speaking at the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul on Friday, co-organized by the Turkish Zero Waste Foundation, national ministries, and UN agencies, Erdogan said the public should “turn household organic waste into compost, boldly take leftover food home from restaurants, and switch off electronic devices instead of leaving them on standby.” She also expressed her excitement at sharing hope and enthusiasm with participants at the first International Zero Waste Forum.

At the forum’s opening, Erdogan announced that “necessary steps” had been taken to set up a UN-Habitat regional office in Türkiye. She added, “I believe that, from now on, our beautiful Istanbul will become the capital of zero waste, where the foundations of a sustainable future will be built.”

Erdogan highlighted that in 2023, Türkiye established the Zero Waste Foundation with the goal of becoming a global hub for zero waste initiatives. She pledged, “Despite our minimal share in the climate crisis, Türkiye is striving with all our strength to be part of the solution.”

Reiterating her key message, Erdogan concluded that what the world needs is “not a small minority that practices zero waste perfectly, but millions who take small steps with determination.”

MENAFN18102025000045017281ID1110214258