The children observed the sorting and separation of waste on site

Children who participated in the technical tour organized by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality examined the sorting and separation of waste on site. The Metropolitan Municipality continues to organize activities to instill environmental awareness in children as part of Environment Week. In this context, a technical tour was organized for children to gain sensitivity to recycling and waste reduction at an early age. 4th grade students from Cengiz Topel and Necati Bolkan Primary School visited ÇEVDOSAN, one of Turkey’s largest recycling facilities.
The children who toured the facility engaged in activities related to the collection, transportation, sorting, and separation of waste from its source; they received information from experts about the recycling process of materials such as glass, plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, and nylon. Children who learned new information about proper waste separation and environmental awareness examined the recycling processes one by one. Children participating in the tour were gifted wooden pencils with plantable seeds in their tips, which are eco-friendly.
“We aim for environmental awareness to set an example for future generations” Chief Environmental Engineer Doğan Kaplan, who serves at the Directorate of Environmental Protection and Control, stated that such education is important for children to gain environmental awareness at an early age. Kaplan said, “By providing recycling education to children at a young age, we aim for them to learn how to separate waste. Thus, we aim for the environmental awareness we initiate at a young age to set an example for future generations.”
“Children receiving environmental education at a young age will make a difference in the future” Human Resources Responsible Begüm Özgenç from ÇEVDOSAN expressed that they try to convey to children the importance of being environmentally conscious through recycling. Özgenç stated, “Children learn the difference that recycling makes at its core. We try to show how materials are transformed. By creating awareness in this way, we explain the importance of taking care of the environment.” Özgenç emphasized that children receiving environmental education at a young age will make a difference in the future.
“The event will remain in the children’s minds throughout their lives” Bülent Ünsal, a teacher at Cengiz Topel Primary School, pointed out that it is crucial for children to learn firsthand about the proper use of resources. Ünsal stated that this event will remain in the children’s minds throughout their lives, saying, “Avoiding waste and using resources conservatively are very important. Recycling is also crucial. It was very good for our children to see this firsthand.”
Student Yunus Emre Kutsal noted that they learned how plastic is recycled and Elif Su Gündoğdu expressed that she will now dispose of materials more consciously. Muhammed Emir Yıldırımer mentioned that he was already careful about waste but will pay even more attention after the tour.