Policy on Preventing and Reducing Marine Pollution from Land-Based Activities

1) Policy Commitment and Scope

Atatürk University has adopted a comprehensive institutional policy titled “Policy on Preventing and Reducing Lake and Water Pollution Originating from Land-Based Activities”, approved by the Rectorate in 2024.
This policy establishes a university-wide commitment to preventing marine and freshwater pollution caused by on-campus and affiliated land-based activities, including wastewater discharges, plastic waste generation, chemical usage, laboratory operations, and urban runoff.

The policy aligns with:

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water),

• The Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation (SKKY),

• The Zero Waste Regulation (Sıfır Atık Yönetmeliği), and

• Türkiye’s National Strategy for Combating Marine Litter (2021–2030).

Its scope extends to all academic, administrative, and service units, as well as to third-party contractors, student dormitories, and research laboratories located on or affiliated with Atatürk University.

2) Objectives of the Policy

The main objectives of the policy are:

1. To minimize and control all pollutant discharges—including nutrients, chemicals, and plastics—before they reach surface or groundwater systems.

2. To prevent indirect marine pollution by ensuring that no contaminated wastewater or solid waste from university land-based sources enters local river basins that flow into the Black Sea via the Karasu and Aras River Systems.

3. To promote ecosystem-based management practices that safeguard aquatic biodiversity and maintain healthy freshwater ecosystems.

4. To raise awareness and strengthen the institutional culture of environmental protection and sustainable land use within the university community.

3) Implementation Framework

The policy is implemented under the leadership of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Coordination Office, in cooperation with:

• Environmental Problems Application and Research Center,

• Biodiversity Research and Application Center (ABBM),

• Faculty of Fisheries, and

• Faculty of Engineering (Environmental Engineering Department).

Together, these units execute a coordinated program of pollution prevention, monitoring, waste minimization, and training.

All departments are required to develop unit-level Environmental Impact Mitigation Plans, which include:

• Regular monitoring of wastewater quality,

• Proper disposal of chemical and laboratory wastes,

• Reduction of plastic and packaging materials,

• Implementation of eco-friendly landscaping and pesticide management, and

• Strict compliance with ESKİ (Erzurum Water and Sewerage Administration) discharge standards.

4) Pollution Prevention and Monitoring Mechanisms

Atatürk University employs multiple mechanisms to reduce land-based pollution risks:

• Zero Waste Integration System: All campus waste is sorted at the source (plastic, paper, metal, glass, organic). Recyclable materials are collected separately, preventing their leakage into surface waters.

• Water-Quality Monitoring: Wastewater from laboratories and cafeterias is pre-treated via neutralization and grease-trap systems before entering municipal networks.

• Chemical and Laboratory Waste Management: Hazardous and medical wastes are collected, labeled, and transferred to licensed facilities, ensuring no land-based pollution or groundwater contamination.

• Stormwater Management: Drainage channels are routinely maintained to prevent runoff carrying debris, microplastics, and oil residues into local water bodies.

• Environmental Risk Mapping: High-risk areas (e.g., chemical storage, vehicle parking, research units) are regularly inspected and mapped to prevent leaching into soil or water systems.

5) Education, Awareness and Research Integration

• The Environmental Problems Center and TDP (Toplumsal Duyarlılık Projeleri) Center organize annual training sessions and awareness campaigns titled “Clean Water, Clean Earth” and “Prevent Land-Based Marine Pollution”, engaging students and staff in monitoring and clean-up activities.

• Courses in Environmental Engineering, Aquaculture, and Sustainability Studies incorporate modules on marine pollution, watershed management, and sustainable land practices.

• Research projects led by the Faculty of Fisheries focus on microplastic accumulation and nutrient loading in regional freshwater bodies, linking academic findings directly to policy implementation.

6) Monitoring, Auditing, and Reporting

• Compliance with the policy is audited annually by the University Sustainability Board and findings are included in the Atatürk University Sustainability Report.

• The audit reviews indicators such as:

  • Total volume of wastewater generated and treated,

  • Plastic-waste diversion rate,

  • Reduction in chemical discharges, and

  • Number of training and awareness events conducted.

• Corrective actions are mandated for any non-compliance, and continuous improvement is monitored through performance indicators aligned with SDG 14 targets.

7) Partnerships and External Collaboration

Atatürk University collaborates with:

• The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change,

• Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality and ESKİ,

• TEMA Foundation, and

• Local NGOs active in river and wetland conservation.

These partnerships ensure that the university’s land-based pollution controls contribute to the protection of regional aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands connected to downstream marine environments.