Organized under the coordination of the Zero Waste Foundation and bringing together numerous national and international stakeholders, the Zero Waste Forum 2026 was held in Istanbul between June 5-7, 2026. The forum, themed “The Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action,” addressed issues such as combating climate change, resource efficiency, sustainable production and consumption models, circular economy practices, and environmental sustainability policies.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, emphasized that the zero waste approach is not only a practice for managing waste, but also an important tool for combating climate change, conserving natural resources, and achieving sustainable development goals. The speech highlighted the importance of a shared responsibility in solving global environmental problems and stressed the need to promote a culture of sustainable living.
During the sessions held within the scope of the forum, policies and practices developed in response to the climate crisis, sustainable cities, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste reduction, recycling systems, and circular economy models were evaluated from different perspectives. Examples of best practices carried out by public institutions, local governments, academic institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives were shared with the participants.
In his assessment, Samet Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, stated that the zero waste movement is increasingly becoming a strong environmental policy approach on an international scale. He emphasized that preventing waste generation, using resources efficiently, and expanding recycling practices are critical to achieving climate action goals, and that platforms increasing information sharing and cooperation between different countries make significant contributions to sustainable development.
The three-day forum, which included panels, conferences, and special sessions, comprehensively addressed the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of environmental sustainability. The contributions of zero-waste practices to reducing environmental risks, conserving natural resources, and leaving a more livable world for future generations were emphasized.
