At a time when natural resources are being consumed at an accelerating pace, recycling waste is becoming increasingly critical both for environmental sustainability and economic benefit.

Speaking to Anadolu, Mahir Okay Celik, economist and co-founder of Waste Log, a company operating within ITU ARI Teknokent, said that recovering packaging and consumption-related waste generated by the roughly 10 billion products placed on the global market each day could significantly contribute to the environment and the economy.

Celik said they developed a mobile application and system that transforms waste into value in order to support recycling efforts.

“We offer a digital, incentive-based recycling model for waste collecting companies and for local governments authorized to manage these wastes. Through this initiative, we encourage citizens to recycle and facilitate the recycling of source-separated waste in a correct model. In doing so, we digitalize waste management,” he said.

Celik noted that since the startup was founded in 2023, more than 110 tons of waste have been recycled through the system, preventing over 235 tons of carbon emissions.

“Separate the packaging of the products you consume and recycle them”

Celik said that materials such as plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, electronic waste, batteries and vegetable oils can be recycled through the application.

“There are recycling bins on the streets. When you go to these bins, download the application, take a photo while disposing of your waste and have it verified by artificial intelligence, you earn points,” he explained. “The core idea of this system is simple: separate, recycle and earn in return, but not just once. We want to create a lasting behavioral change. From now on, carry out all your consumption with sustainability awareness. Separate and recycle the packaging of everything you consume.”

Celik emphasized that users earn different points depending on the type of waste recycled, and that these points can be used for products and services offered within the app or redeemed as discount codes through brand partnerships.

60 tons of waste collected in six months through ‘zero-waste market’ in Türkiye’s Edirne 

Celik said the idea for the initiative emerged from a personal need.

“I was separating and storing my waste, but I couldn’t find the recycling bins. I noticed inefficiencies when trying to coordinate waste collection with local governments. I realized that if I was experiencing this problem, hundreds of others might be as well. I started thinking about how to make their lives easier and how to digitalize efficient waste collection operations. That’s how we arrived at where we are today,” he said.

Celik noted that when individuals are guided toward the right locations and actions, they are willing to recycle, adding that the clearest indication of this was a 35 percent year-on-year increase in the amount of waste recycled through the application last year.

He said the application was designed to allow users to complete actions as easily as possible, enabling them to locate the nearest recycling bin and view the environmental benefits they personally generate once the waste is recycled.

Celik also pointed to a project carried out with the Edirne Municipality, under which waste is collected and recycled through a zero-waste market established in the province.

“We told citizens not to throw waste into the trash just because they don’t know how to recycle it. We said, ‘There is a zero-waste market here. Separate your waste, bring it here, hand it in and earn points. You can use these points on selected products in the market.’ Through this model, 60 tons of waste were collected in six months. We want to expand this nationwide,” he said.

Celik added that they aim to make sustainability and recycling a part of daily behavior through technology and efficient practices, and that they also plan to expand this locally developed technology across Europe.

The application, offered for free, operates under the name "Waste Log Atık Bildir" in Türkiye.