Examination of Zero Waste Approach in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Türkiye Using Zero Waste Index

Abstract

Natural resources rapidly consumptions and the devastating consequences of climate change reveal the necessity of proper planning of both resource use and waste management. The concept of zero waste (ZW) offers a strategy that focuses on solving all these problems. With the spread of the ZW project throughout Turkey, the aim is to increase the recovery rate to 60% by 2035. Considering the targets of our country regarding ZW; the role of the zero waste index (ZWI), which is a waste management performance evaluation tool, is very critical. In this study, Ankara, Antalya, İstanbul, İzmir, Samsun, Şanlıurfa and Van, which are the most populous provinces of 7 regions of Turkey according to TUIK 2020 data, were selected and these provinces were chosen as pessimistic (only regarding population growth, no waste recycling) and optimistic (60% of waste recycling as a ZW strategy of 2035). ZWI values were calculated for the year 2035 according to two different scenarios based on pessimistic and optimistic scenarios. The data obtained are 0.27, 0.18, 0.06, 0.16, 0.15, 0.17 and 0.15 for the provinces of Ankara, Antalya, Istanbul, İzmir, Samsun, Şanlıurfa and Van in pessimistic scenario in 2020, respectively. According to the pessimistic and optimistic scenarios of the year, the ZWI values were obtained as 0.22-0.30; 0.25-0.40; 0.04-0.32; 0.23-0.36, 0.24-0.29; 0.25-0.45 and 0.24-0.31, respectively in 2035. Furthermore, greenhouse gas (GHG), water savings and potential energy which comes from resource recovery of municipal solid wastes are predicted by applying ZWI. Considering the results obtained in the study, it is estimated that ZWI can be applied as acreative tool in the examination of waste management performance and material substitution by a management systems of solid wastes.