Atatürk University maintains formal institutional systems to measure overall waste generation and recycling flows across its various campuses, buildings, and service units. These mechanisms are managed by the Katı ve Tehlikeli Atık Yönetimi Koordinatörlüğü (Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Coordination Unit) and integrated with the university’s Zero Waste / Sıfır Atık approach. The measurement program covers multiple waste categories (recyclables, organics, residual waste, e-waste, hazardous waste) and produces periodical internal reporting, enabling tracking of progress, benchmarking, and performance evaluation.
1. Institutional Framework for Measurement
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The Zero Waste Integration Process assigns each campus unit (faculty buildings, administrative blocks, dormitories, laboratories, cafeterias, etc.) color-coded bins and internal containers consistent with national standards. Waste is then moved to 770-L external containers for centralized measurement and collection. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The Coordination Unit compiles and publishes information about “Sıfır Atık Çalışmaları” and the flow of recyclable waste from units to licensed recycling firms (AGDA / authorized collectors). Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The university maintains a “Sıfır Atık Belgesi” (Zero Waste Certificate) program, under which units are audited for compliance in waste separation and recycling. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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In particular, the university tracks e-waste flows: devices reaching end-of-life are collected, categorized, logged, and then handed off to licensed e-waste recyclers or repair units. Atatürk Üniversitesi+2Anadolu Ajansı
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The Coordination Unit’s website publishes that the university collects over 200 kg of waste pharmaceuticals (at least in certain container systems) on campus pharmacy disposal points. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The university is implementing deposit management / reverse deposit systems to reduce waste and more accurately measure return/disposal flows. Atatürk Üniversitesi
2. Evidence of Measurement & Recycling Activity
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The university reports that obsolete electronic materials (e-waste) are collected from university units, categorized into 6 classes, and delivered to licensed recycling firms under traceable procedures. Anadolu Ajansı
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According to media statements, during the COVID-19 period, Atatürk University processed 30 tons of waste in its e-waste and general waste management operations. Anadolu Ajansı
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The Coordination Unit website describes that recyclable waste (paper, plastic, glass, metal) is collected from internal units and delivered to authorized recycling firms. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The “Sıfır Atık” web pages describe that internal units accumulate waste in internal bins/poşets per national scale standards; the color-coded bags are distributed from the Coordination Unit. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The institutional site also mentions that residual (“black container”) waste is collected by Yakutiye Municipality and transported to Erzurum’s regulated landfill, where methane recovery occurs. Atatürk Üniversitesi
3. Example Table: Waste & Recycling Metrics (Hypothetical / Modeled for 2024)
Below is a modeled illustrative table that could be appended to the statement (with real data if available). It shows how measured waste generation and recycling might be reported across categories.
| Waste Stream | Total Generated (2024) | Recycled / Diverted (2024) | Recycling Rate (%) | Destination / Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper & Cardboard | 60 t | 55 t | 91.7 % | Delivered to licensed paper recycler |
| Plastic & Metal Packaging | 50 t | 42 t | 84.0 % | Recycled by municipal/private contractors |
| Glass Waste | 20 t | 16 t | 80.0 % | Sent to glass recycling plant |
| Organic & Compostable (cafeteria) | 100 t | 70 t | 70.0 % | Composting / bio-reactor |
| E-Waste (electronics) | 12 t | 10 t | 83.3 % | Repair / recycle under electronic waste program |
| Hazardous / Laboratory / Medical | 8 t | 5 t | 62.5 % | Licensed hazardous waste contractor |
| Residual / Non-recyclable | 160 t | 0 t | 0 % | Landfill |
| Total | 410 t | 198 t | 48.3 % | — |
(Note: These numbers are illustrative. Real data should replace this table once officially compiled.)
One could also present a bar chart or pie chart:
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A pie chart of waste streams showing proportion diverted vs residual.
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A bar chart comparing generation vs recycled tons by stream.
4. Interpretation & Institutional Value
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The measurement system is comprehensive: it covers all campus units, multiple waste types (recyclables, organics, hazardous, e-waste), and uses licensed partners for recycling/disposal.
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Atatürk University integrates the measurement into its Zero Waste Certificate / audit regime, allowing internal benchmarking and performance incentives.
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The university’s e-waste measurement and recycling are advanced—obsolete devices are categorized, logged, repair paths are used, and full recycling is enforced. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The collected data informs ongoing policy revisions, resource allocation (e.g. more recycling bins, improved collection logistics), and public reporting.
