Plastic Use Minimisation Policy
Sakarya University has implemented a comprehensive Plastic Use Minimisation Policy as a core component of its sustainability strategy and Zero Waste Management System. This policy is coordinated by the Zero Waste Coordinatorship under the Sustainability Commission, aiming to systematically reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote reusable, recyclable, and environmentally responsible alternatives across all university operations.
The policy is implemented within the framework of the Sakarya University Zero Waste Directive and Türkiye’s Zero Waste Regulation. Its emphasis on waste prevention, reuse and resource efficiency supports the objectives of the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2028), which identifies plastics and packaging among its priority sectors.
Institutional Framework and Implementation
Sakarya University prioritises durable and reusable alternatives to single-use plastics in dining facilities, cafeterias, tea stations and campus activities. Porcelain plates and metal cutlery are used in meal services, while reusable mugs, thermoses and cloth bags support the reduction of disposable cups, containers and carrier bags.
Campus water dispensers provide an alternative to single-use bottled water, encouraging students and staff to refill reusable bottles. Discounts for customers using their own mugs or thermoses reinforce this approach by linking reusable consumption habits with practical incentives.
Plastic reduction is incorporated into procurement and service management practices. Purchasing procedures and service contracts promote the reduction of single-use materials and preference for reusable products. Concentrated cleaning products help minimise packaging requirements, while cloth bags and suitable alternatives to plastic packaging support resource-efficient institutional operations. These measures extend plastic-use minimisation to suppliers and service providers
Reusable habits are further encouraged through incentive mechanisms cafeterias and coffee stands offer discounts for students and staff who bring their own mugs or thermoses, promoting sustainable behavior within the campus community.
Awareness, Education, and Student Engagement
The Zero Waste Coordinatorship and the Environmental Engineering Department organize annual awareness campaigns, workshops, and student competitions focused on waste prevention and plastic-free living. Student-led organizations, including the Nature and Animal Rights Club, conduct the Plastic Cap Collection Project, where collected plastic caps are recycled to support feeding and care initiatives for campus animals. These actions strengthen community engagement and integrate environmental ethics into daily campus life.
In 2025, the University complemented its plastic-use reduction measures with participation incentives promoting reusable products and responsible packaging management. The April recycling campaign and May recycling campaign rewarded the most active student and staff users of campus deposit-return machines with reusable thermoses. These activities connected beverage packaging recovery with the promotion of durable alternatives to disposable drinkware.
Student participation was further supported through the Zero Waste-themed photography and video competitions. Participants documented campus waste separation systems, recycling points and zero waste practices, contributing to the visibility of institutional sustainability initiatives.
Monitoring and Compliance
The Zero Waste Coordinatorship oversees implementation through the monitoring of waste collection arrangements, review of separation equipment and identification of operational needs across university units. Waste quantities and transfer information are recorded through the Ministry’s Zero Waste Information System, supported by institutional weighing and delivery records.
Monitoring combines waste records with the review of refill infrastructure, reusable-product practices, procurement measures and awareness activities. Identified needs guide improvements in collection equipment, communication and campus implementation. The University’s Zero Waste Certificates covering all campuses support the institutional continuity of these practices.
Alignment with National and Global Sustainability Goals
The University’s policy directly supports Türkiye’s Zero Waste Policy and the 2053 Green Development and Circular Economy Vision, emphasizing waste prevention, reuse, and recycling as strategic national goals. Preparatory work has also been initiated for ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, ensuring continuous monitoring and environmental performance improvement.
By prioritising prevention and reuse alongside separate collection and recycling, Sakarya University integrates plastic-use minimisation into campus services, procurement and community participation. Water refill facilities, reusable dining materials and incentive mechanisms support the practical implementation of this policy.
These measures contribute to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly waste prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, while supporting resource efficiency and the University’s broader environmental sustainability objectives.
Sakarya University Plastic Waste Reduction Policy
