The Turkish Parliament has prevented the cutting of 1,541 trees and saved more than 35,000 liters of oil through recycling efforts carried out between October 2025 and August 2026.
According to the Turkish Parliament’s 28th Term, Fourth Legislative Year Activity Report, 90,654 kilograms (199,857) of waste paper was recycled at the Parliament campus between Oct. 1, 2025, and Aug. 10, 2026, preventing the equivalent of 1,541 trees from being cut down.
The recycling of 13,667 kilograms of plastic waste also saved 35,643 liters of oil, while 2,109 kilograms of glass and more than 5,000 kilograms of metal were recycled, saving 9,193 kilograms of raw materials.
Overall, the recycling of paper, plastic, glass and metal saved 274 cubic meters of landfill space, 454,177 kilowatt-hours of energy and 2,538 cubic meters of water, while preventing 17,186 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions.
A further 3,175 kilograms of biodegradable waste was recycled, producing 884 kilograms of organic fertilizer.
The Parliament has operated an Environmental Management System since 2014 to reduce waste and environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency and increase environmental awareness among employees.
In January, Parliament renewed its Environmental Management System certificate following an audit by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), with the new certificate valid until Feb. 8, 2029.
The institution also renewed its Zero Waste Certificate for another five years.
As part of the Zero Waste Project, separate bins are used to collect organic, non-recyclable, paper, plastic, glass and metal waste across the Parliament campus. The waste is separated and delivered to companies licensed by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Organic waste from kitchens and tea rooms is collected for processing, while used cooking oil, batteries, mineral oils and hazardous waste are sent for disposal or recycling.
Two 1,000-liter composting machines are also used to turn organic waste from kitchens and gardens into fertilizer.
Parliament has installed four deposit-return recycling bins as part of cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Turkish Environment Agency.
Parliament has also incorporated social responsibility initiatives into its waste management efforts.
Surplus food prepared in Parliament kitchens and served at receptions is regularly delivered to families in need identified by the Provincial Directorate of Social Services under the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
Food left on plates is collected in hygienic containers and sent to an animal shelter in Gölbaşı with the support of the district municipality.
Meanwhile, 1,926 kilograms of clothing collected in donation boxes at the Parliament campus were handed over to the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) for distribution to people in need.
The Parliament also collected 100 sacks of acorns, which were handed over to the Ankara Forest Nursery Directorate under the General Directorate of Forestry for distribution across 81 provinces and reintroduction into nature.