The “This City Belongs to All of Us” Electronic Waste and Waste Battery Collection Competition, which was launched by the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality to increase environmental awareness and encourage recycling, has concluded. The schools that won the competition received their awards at an enthusiastic ceremony held at the Social Development Center. Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Climate Change and Zero Waste Department Head Mustafa Yıldırım, Provincial National Education Deputy Director Atalay Gürbüz, district national education directors, teachers and school principals attended the ceremony.
Environmentally Conscious Schools Awarded
There was a fierce competition in the Electronic Waste and Waste Battery Collection Competition. In the competition, which was held with intense student participation, the schools that collected the most waste were determined. Karasu Şehit Üsteğmen İbrahim Abanoz Anatolian High School won the first place award, while Sakarya University Foundation Schools came in second. Prof. Dr. Osman Öztürk İmam Hatip Secondary School won the third place of the competition, 21 Haziran Primary School won the fourth place, Sezginler Tourism and Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School won the fifth place, Sakarya Primary School won the sixth place, and Ekrem Oba Primary and Secondary School won the seventh place awards. During the award ceremony, representatives of the schools that won were presented with plaques and various gifts. In addition, surprise gifts were given to the students who attended the ceremony, and 10 students were happy to win bicycles in a raffle.
Great Contribution from Students to Nature
As a result of the competition, approximately 4 tons of electronic waste and waste batteries were collected with the devoted efforts of environmentally sensitive students. These collected wastes were recycled and provided a significant breath of fresh air to nature. While the spread of harmful substances contained in electronic waste and waste batteries into the environment was prevented, the recovery of valuable metals also contributed to the country's economy. This success increased the students' sensitivity to environmental awareness and their hopes for the future.
Music and Environmental Awareness Together
At the end of the award ceremony, Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality City Orchestra took the stage and presented a pleasant musical concert for the students. This event, where art and environmental awareness were intertwined, added a different color to the program. The students attended an award ceremony that reinforced their environmental awareness and had fun with live music.
Emphasis on “The Main Gain is to Protect Nature”
Reminding that Sakarya is a pilot province within the scope of the Deposit Management System throughout Turkey, Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Climate Change and Zero Waste Department Head Mustafa Yıldırım drew attention to the vital importance of recycling on the environment and natural resources. Yıldırım said, “If there is a recycling logo on the plastic, glass and metal waste in our homes, we throw these wastes into the deposit machines and win small prizes. However, the real gain is protecting nature, our air, water and soil. With this awareness, our children both warn their elders and grow up as exemplary individuals. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we will continue to work with all our stakeholders for the ‘This City Belongs to All of Us’ movement that we have initiated, and to protect the environment and nature.” These words once again revealed Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality’s commitment to producing environmentally sensitive projects and the mission of leaving a livable world for future generations.
