Sakarya University systematically measures, records, and reports the amount of waste generated and recycled across all campuses through its institutional Zero Waste Management System, established under the Zero Waste Regulation of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. This comprehensive system ensures quantitative tracking of all waste streams recyclable, organic, hazardous, and residual within academic, administrative, and social facilities.
The Zero Waste Coordinatorship, operating under the Sustainability Commission, coordinates waste measurement and reporting across university campuses. Collection arrangements cover academic and administrative buildings, dining facilities, laboratories, healthcare units and common-use areas. Three-compartment collection stations separate paper, plastic-glass-metal and residual waste, while organic waste, batteries, electronic waste, hazardous waste and medical waste are managed through dedicated collection arrangements.
Daily weighing and records maintained by waste category form the basis of the University’s waste measurement system. Waste Delivery Forms document the type and quantity of waste accepted into temporary storage, supporting traceability between collection, storage and off-site transfer. These records provide quantitative information for monitoring waste generation and the quantities directed to recycling, recovery and disposal.
Separately collected recyclable materials are transferred to licensed recycling companies, while residual waste is delivered to Sakarya Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (SEKAY). Organic waste is managed separately through composting and biogas recovery arrangements. Hazardous, medical and electronic waste follow dedicated storage and licensed transfer procedures.
Waste quantities and receiving organisation details are systematically recorded through the Zero Waste Information System within the Integrated Environmental Information System, operated by Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Institutional weighing records and waste delivery documentation support the monitoring of waste categories, quantities and transfer destinations.
Hazardous, medical and electronic waste transfers are tracked through MOTAT (Mobile Waste Tracking System), while annual waste declarations are submitted through the relevant Ministry application. These complementary records support traceability and institutional waste reporting.
Waste measurement records are consolidated for annual institutional reporting, including the University’s Sustainability Reports and waste-related environmental performance submissions. Information is organised by waste category and management route to support the evaluation of recycling, organic waste recovery and residual waste management. Annual records provide a basis for comparisons between reporting periods and the identification of improvements in source separation, waste prevention and resource recovery. Relevant information is published through the University’s Sustainability Portal, supporting transparency and public access to institutional environmental reporting.
Training and information activities support the reliability of the waste measurement system. Cleaning personnel receive practical guidance on source separation and temporary storage, while academic and administrative staff and students are informed about collection arrangements and correct use of waste separation equipment. Laboratory personnel and students receive training on hazardous waste management. Training activities are recorded in the Ministry’s Zero Waste Information System, supporting continuity in institutional implementation.
Annual internal inspections are conducted to evaluate compliance with Ministry standards and the University’s Zero Waste Policy, as well as ISO 14001 Environmental Management Principles. Preparatory work has also commenced to obtain full ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, which will institutionalize continuous monitoring, reporting, and performance improvement mechanisms for waste management.
Through daily weighing, waste-specific records, documented transfers and national reporting systems, Sakarya University maintains an institutional framework for measuring waste generation and monitoring recycling and recovery activities across its campuses. This framework supports evidence-based waste management, transparent reporting and continuous improvement, contributing to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
