Mayor Pekyatırmacı Presents Selçuklu’s Environmental Efforts in Portugal

Ahmet Pekyatırmacı, the Mayor of Selçuklu, presented successful examples of environmental and zero waste management practices implemented by the Selçuklu Municipality at the 23rd International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) Summit.

Mayor Pekyatırmacı stated, "Through our ongoing efforts in environmental protection, we have prevented the cutting down of 85,600 trees annually and the emission of 4,534 tons of carbon."

The 23rd International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) Summit was held in Valongo, Portugal. Representatives from various regions around the world, including UCLG-MEWA, participated in the event organized by IOPD. The event highlighted the critical role of participatory democracy in shaping local governance.

Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı also delivered a presentation on the Selçuklu Municipality's projects related to "Environmental and Zero Waste Management" during the panel titled "Environment, Cities, and Modern Issues."

In his presentation, Mayor Pekyatırmacı provided information to the panelists about the Zero Waste Practices implemented by the Selçuklu Municipality. These practices include the collection of waste packaging, collection of batteries and electronic waste, collection of textile and medical waste, a mobile waste collection center, composting efforts, the "My Waste Bank" project, educational activities, and the Selçuklu Second-Hand Market.

Mayor Pekyatırmacı noted that the Selçuklu Municipality, through its successful waste management initiatives, qualified for the sustainability special category award in the "2023 Healthy Cities Best Practice Competition" organized by the Turkish Healthy Cities Association with its "Composting Project."

Pekyatırmacı also shared that the "My Waste Bank" project was awarded the "Best Practice Award" for local governments at the 3rd Zero Waste Summit, held on December 23, 2022, by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, under the theme of "Climate and Youth."