Türkiye regulations · 27 October 2026
Five countries meet under SWAP as Kocaeli pilot activities are discussed
The SWAP programme in Istanbul and Kocaeli covered zero waste, financing and industrial circularity. Türkiye’s inception workshop discussed planned pilot activities. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
Representatives from China, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Uruguay and Türkiye met in Istanbul and Kocaeli on 19–22 October under the project on shifting to zero waste against pollution (SWAP). According to the Directorate General of Environmental Management’s announcement dated 23 October 2026, the programme included international meetings, technical site visits and Türkiye’s national inception workshop. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
Five countries share implementation experience
SWAP is implemented through cooperation between the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Coordinated by the Directorate General, the programme brought together partner-country representatives and officials from international organisations, public institutions, local authorities, industry and civil society. The second SWAP Global Annual Meeting, held in Istanbul on 19–20 October, provided a forum for sharing national implementation experience. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
Official source: Ministry of Environment — Environmental Management ↗Financing and public procurement on the agenda
The annual meeting examined expanding zero-waste practices, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and sustainable financing mechanisms. Discussions also covered green public procurement, alternative financing models, private-sector partnerships and local authorities’ role in zero-waste work. Opening remarks stressed wider global adoption and stronger international cooperation. The announcement presents these as discussion topics, not as a new regulation or binding obligation. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
Official source: Ministry of Environment — Environmental Management ↗Waste management and industrial site visits
On the third day, participants examined waste management and industrial circular-economy activities in Kocaeli. The delegation received information about the İzmit Bay bottom-sludge cleanup project. At İZAYDAŞ facilities, participants examined waste management, energy recovery and biomethanisation processes. A visit to Ford Otosan addressed resource efficiency, waste prevention and material circularity. The technical programme therefore covered both waste-treatment processes and industrial resource-use practices. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
Official source: Ministry of Environment — Environmental Management ↗Pilot activities remain at the planning stage
The final day featured the national inception workshop in Kocaeli, the project’s pilot province in Türkiye. Discussions on planned pilots covered cleaner production, life-cycle assessment, organic waste management, resource efficiency and sustainable production. Speakers emphasised cooperation among public institutions, local authorities, industrial organisations and universities. SWAP aims to prevent pollution at source, expand zero-waste practices and strengthen circular-economy approaches. The pilots to be developed in Kocaeli are intended to provide examples for other local authorities; the announcement does not present them as completed activities. [Source](https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/haberler/sifir-atik-ve-dongusel-ekonomi-icin-uluslararasi-is-birligi-307099)
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