Selpak and Ministry Join Forces for 'Zero Waste Blue'

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Selpak Professional have begun organizing awareness training for tourism sector employees in coastal provinces.

Under the protocol signed for cooperation on the "Zero Waste Blue" project, employees of tourism businesses participating in the project will receive training prepared by Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kıran Cılız, Director of Boğaziçi University's Sustainable Development and Clean Production Center. Training will be accessible through Selpak Professional's digital education platform. Businesses completing the training will be eligible to receive a certificate approved by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The cooperation between the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Selpak Professional, operating within Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products, was brought to life through the signed protocol. Within the scope of the protocol, education, information and awareness activities will be conducted in line with zero waste approaches. Training will cover topics within the scope of sustainability such as more efficient use of resources, protection of marine ecosystems, development of environment-friendly consumption habits, and waste management.

In-person and remote training for tourism employees

Within the scope of the project aimed at reaching a wide target audience including coastal and tourism facility operators, cleaning staff, maintenance and repair personnel, waste temporary storage area employees, and coastal, port and beach workers; training prepared by Boğaziçi University's Sustainable Development and Clean Production Center will be provided within Selpak Professional. Businesses completing the training will receive a certificate approved by the Ministry.

The signature ceremony held at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change was attended on behalf of the Ministry by Director General of Environmental Management Fatih Turan, Deputy Directors General of Environmental Management Gürsel Erul and Haluk Şahin Yazgı, Director of Marine and Coastal Management Vildan Bölükbaşı Atay and Director of Zero Waste Applications Okan Bahrioğlu; on behalf of Selpak Professional by Sales Director of Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products Olgu Savaş Özden, Sustainability Manager Ceyda Kaytmaz, Ankara Representative of Eczacıbaşı Holding Çağrı Köseyener and Public Relations Manager Tamer Özdemir.

"Zero Waste Blue project is playing a critical role in the sustainability of our marine ecosystem"

Director General of Environmental Management Fatih Turan, in his statement regarding the project, said: "This cooperation is an important step taken towards protecting our seas and coastlines. The Zero Waste Blue project is playing a critical role in the sustainability of our marine ecosystem. As a ministry, we view increasing public awareness in the areas of marine pollution prevention and waste management as priority objectives. The training programs we are implementing with Selpak Professional will provide significant support to businesses operating in the tourism sector in adopting environment-friendly practices and spreading this awareness on a broad scale." Turan also emphasized that they wish this project to serve as an example for all sectors and stressed that it represents an important beginning for the dissemination of environment-friendly practices.

"As Selpak Professional, we will contribute to awareness raising efforts through the training we provide."

Olgu Savaş Özden, sharing his views on the project, which is described as an important step that will contribute to combating marine litter in Turkey and achieving zero waste blue targets, stated: "As Selpak Professional, we are proud to cooperate with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change on the Zero Waste Blue Training Project. Zero Waste Blue is an initiative put forward with the aim of protecting our seas and water resources and promoting zero waste understanding in the tourism sector. This project aims to raise awareness among employees of businesses operating in the tourism sector on marine cleanup and to develop environment-friendly usage habits. As Selpak Professional, we are contributing to the sector's sustainability journey through our sustainable product range. With this cooperation, we are pleased to reach employees at many different levels in the businesses in question through the training we will provide, to participate in awareness-raising activities, and to support the relevant ministries on sustainable tourism."