Occupational Health and Environmental Safety - Waste Management

Waste Management

The First University in Istanbul to Receive the “Zero Waste Certificate”

Rapid population growth, environmental pollution caused by rising demand, and resource scarcity are among the most significant challenges of our time… With this awareness, Yıldız Technical University is taking numerous steps—supported by R&D efforts—to integrate waste into the circular economy. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization launched the “Zero Waste” initiative in Turkey to prevent waste, promote more efficient use of natural resources, reduce the volume of waste generated, and improve source separation practices. Building on this initiative and striving for a greener, cleaner campus, Yıldız Technical University has developed numerous strategies, primarily focused on effective waste management, reducing waste generation, and source separation. As part of the Zero Waste project since 2018, Yıldız Technical University has established the Zero Waste Management System at its Davutpaşa Campus and became the first public university in Istanbul to earn the “Zero Waste Certificate.”

How Does YTÜ Manage Its Waste? Click here for more details.

Waste Collection

For 2023, the chemical waste collection process will begin at the Davutpaşa Campus on Friday, April 14, or Monday, April 17, 2023.

The following items will be accepted as hazardous waste: chemicals, materials contaminated with chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, waste toner and cartridges, waste oil filters, paints, and waste batteries. As part of cost-saving measures, waste chemicals found in laboratories should be submitted, whenever possible, in secondary plastic containers inside yellow bags labeled “hazardous waste”; blue drums will be reused.

Documents-Forms

IA-399-OSH Hazardous Waste Management Workflow.docx

FR-1220-OSH Hazardous Waste Form.docx

Click here to download the Laboratory Safety Poster in PDF format.

Environmental Safety

When it comes to occupational safety or laboratory safety, the first rule to follow in the event of a potential accident is “Your own safety comes first.” After ensuring their own safety, individuals should first secure any other workers in the vicinity, if present, and then secure the surrounding area if the situation allows for intervention.

Accidents that may occur in the work environment should be anticipated through prior planning, and appropriate precautions should be taken.

Chemical and biological emergency kits must always be available on-site to address chemical or biological spills. The procedures contained in these kits must be carefully followed in the correct order, and the incident site must be secured.