The “Zero Waste Hackathon,” organized at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) within the scope of the 30 March International Zero Waste Day, attracted attention for its strong student participation and the creative projects developed during the event.

Aiming to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable lifestyle habits, and enhance students’ problem-solving skills, the event became an important academic and social meeting point on campus. The participation of students from different faculties strengthened interdisciplinary interaction, while the concept of sustainability was experienced in a practical context.

The opening ceremony, held at the Faculty of Engineering Conference Hall, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer, and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Alper Burak Pancar, as well as deans, academics, and students.

Not waste, but a resource

Held under the theme “From Waste to Art,” the competition invited students to create aesthetic and functional designs using various types of waste, including plastic, glass, metal, paper, and textiles. Materials often overlooked in daily life were given new life through students’ creativity. The resulting works were significant not only in artistic terms but also in raising environmental awareness.

During the competition, students developed projects individually and in teams within a limited time frame. This process contributed to the development of skills such as problem-solving, innovative thinking, and efficient use of resources. The exhibited works attracted great interest, offering participants the opportunity to observe how waste can be transformed into valuable products through the right approach.

The cleanest waste is the one that never occurs

Throughout the event, the fundamental principles of sustainable waste management were emphasized. In particular, attention was drawn to reducing waste at its source, preventing its formation, and ensuring effective separation. While recycling was highlighted as an important step, it was underlined that it is not sufficient on its own, and that the main goal is to minimize waste generation.

Participants not only evaluated existing waste in their projects but also presented innovative ideas to reduce waste generation. In this context, topics such as rethinking consumption habits, conscious resource use, and environmentally friendly production models came to the forefront. Academics and jury members evaluated the projects based on criteria such as creativity, feasibility, sustainability, and social impact.

Young ideas, sustainable future

At the end of the competition, awards were presented by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın. Hamza Tokuç won first place, Melih Can Şağban placed second, and Murat Mansur came third in the Zero Waste Hackathon.

Rector Aydın: “The zero waste approach is a necessity in today’s world”

In her comprehensive speech at the ceremony, Rector Aydın stated that building a sustainable future is only possible through conscious individuals and strong institutional policies. Emphasizing that universities are not only educational institutions but also structures that guide society and set examples, Prof. Dr. Aydın noted that the zero-waste approach has become a necessity in today’s world. She stated: “We are living in an era where natural resources are rapidly depleting. Therefore, waste management is one of the most important pillars of our sustainable campus goal.”

“We effectively implement recycling processes”

Rector Aydın also mentioned concrete practices across the campus, stating that comprehensive recycling models have been implemented for all types of waste. Emphasizing that waste is not treated as a burden, but as a resource to be recovered, Aydın said: “At our university, we view waste not as a burden but as a valuable resource. With this understanding, we effectively implement recycling processes and achieve efficient results both economically and ecologically.”

“We address the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability together”

Highlighting that the necessary infrastructure has been established across the campus for separating waste at its source and that recycling systems have been expanded, Rector Aydın noted that awareness activities targeting all stakeholders, especially students, are ongoing. She emphasized that the university addresses both the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability together. This approach, supported by energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmentally friendly practices, contributes significantly to the university’s sustainable campus goals.

On-site training in waste management: deposit return and compost units introduced to students

The event was enriched not only by the hackathon competition but also by the introduction of campus-wide waste management systems. In this context, with the participation of the OMU administration, students were introduced on-site to the deposit return machine at the Life Center and the composting unit at the Faculty of Science.

Through the deposit return machine, it was demonstrated how plastic, glass, and metal packaging are reintegrated into the system and included in the production process. Students experienced firsthand how waste can be transformed into economic value, gaining insight into the circular economy approach.

During the composting unit presentation, the process of utilizing organic waste was explained in detail. Food waste from dining facilities and daily life, along with grass waste collected from parks and gardens, is converted into a natural soil-enhancing product. It was emphasized that this process both reduces waste and creates environmentally friendly and economic value. Thus, students had the opportunity to observe sustainable waste management practices on-site.

The event contributed to the development of environmentally conscious student projects and served as an important platform for promoting zero-waste awareness. The “Zero Waste Hackathon” and on-campus practical demonstrations strengthened the university’s sustainable campus vision while once again highlighting young people's sensitivity and solution-oriented potential in addressing environmental issues.

Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın calls for collective action for a sustainable future