EKOMAT Project: A Year of Environmental and Economic Triumph
The pioneering EKOMAT Project, a joint effort by BIRCAM Foundation, GCA, and Park Cam, celebrates a successful first year. With nearly 11 thousand members and 1.6 million units of packaging waste collected, this groundbreaking initiative contributed a remarkable TRY 1.3 million to the Turkish economy while championing environmental preservation.
Protecting the Environment, Boosting the Economy
Dr. Abdullah Gayret, General Manager of GCA, expresses satisfaction with the EKOMAT Project’s achievements, emphasizing its dual significance in terms of sustainability and the economy. GCA actively embraces technological advancements to combat environmental pollution, prioritizing extensive waste recycling without harming the environment. The project, focused on sustainability and public awareness, encourages recycling as an integral part of daily life. By placing 34 EKOMAT deposit machines at 15 locations in Yalova, GCA achieves 100 percent recycling of glass, plastic, and metal beverage packaging. The project also rewards citizens with points for recycling, promoting both a green economy and a reduced carbon footprint.
A Winning Strategy: Maximizing Cullet Usage
Ergin Öz, Deputy General Manager of Park Cam, highlights the significance of cullet, the essential raw material for glass packaging factories. Increased cullet usage enhances furnace efficiency, reduces energy costs, and lowers carbon footprint, making significant contributions to environmental stewardship. With the EKOMAT Project, high-quality cullet used by European manufacturers now reaches Turkish factories, enabling the production of new bottles and supporting a greener future.
A Bright Future Ahead
The EKOMAT Project exemplifies how sustainability and economic growth can harmoniously coexist. With a commitment to preserving the environment, raising public awareness, and integrating recycling into daily life, this project sets the course for a greener, more prosperous future.
Source: GCA with additional information added by GlassBalkan