The University is taking important steps to reduce its own impact on the environment through a new Plan for Plastics. In line with being the first Turkish University with a Zero Waste Certificate – ÖzU aims to: 

• minimize consumption of single-use plastics
• recycle all plastic waste and ensure correct management of waste
• support the economy and our supply chain to move towards the removal of single-use plastics and implementation of alternatives
• deliver world-leading research to provide robust evidence about the environmental problems associated with plastic, thereby helping society tackle the global challenge of moving towards a plastic-free society
• raise awareness within the University as well as externally about the issues associated with single-use plastics and waste generation and promote behavior change.

Some of the actions taken in this context are listed below.

• Carboys are reduced, and purified water is promoted instead.
• The use of paper towels is encouraged.
• The use of plastic cups is restricted, and employees are encouraged to use glass cups.

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard Certificate

Özyeğin University is the first university in Turkey to receive the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard Certificate. Established in 2012, the system was certified in 2014 by the internationally recognized and respected BSI (British Standards Institute) certification body. At Özyeğin University, the requirements of the standard are periodically monitored, reporting is carried out, and internal audits are carried out. It is also audited by BSI every year. Özyeğin University has adopted environmental sustainability as one of its primary existence criteria, starting from its foundation and campus construction. In accordance with its environmental policy, the University conducts environmental impact analyses and focuses on improvement activities to minimize the consumption of natural resources with reference to the outputs obtained. Energy management, waste management, and carbon footprint reporting are carried out regularly. For the first time, Corporate Water footprint reporting was also made.

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is a management system developed to systematically reduce and, where possible, eliminate the damages that organisations cause or may cause to the environment. In this context, the corporate policy is stated with the Environmental Policy published, and the practices, duties, and concepts are expressed in the Environmental Management Plan. The Campus Energy and Water Resources Usage Guide has been published, and the environmental considerations are explained in detail.

Waste Management Policy

Özyeğin University endeavors to minimize, reuse, and /or recycle any potential waste in order to prevent environmental pollution. In selecting materials, systems, and methods, careful attention is paid to the selection of more energy-efficient options in order to reduce waste at the source and minimize waste or loss. Embracing the zero waste approach, waste is minimized, reused, recycled, and disposed of in accordance with the effective laws and legislations. Technological developments are closely monitored to identify the best methods for waste management.

Hazardous waste resulting from the construction of new buildings as well as the University’s academic and administrative activities are identified, collected, transported, and disposed of using the most convenient methods, without causing any harm to human health and the environment. All waste resulting from academic and administrative operations in the University’s facilities is sorted and properly disposed of.

All students, subcontractors, on-campus businesses/lessees, affiliated subcontractors, and suppliers, as well as faculty and staff, are informed about the University’s efforts towards environmental protection and waste management and are encouraged to effectively assume their own share of environmental responsibility.