Established as a consortium by Burkasan Waste Management, which specializes in integrated waste management in Bursa, Yalurlar Tekstil Geri Kazanım, which specializes in textile waste in Izmir, and Özmüşler AŞ, which specializes in waste paper, Ege Atık Yönetimi AŞ started operations in February in Izmir Free Zone. Shaped with a 4 million dollar investment, the facility has the capacity to meet the needs of the entire region, which hosts more than 200 companies. The official opening of the facility, which was commissioned in February and started to serve 30 percent of the region, is planned to take place in the coming months.
Emphasizing that they have been implementing waste management activities in Bursa Free Zone for many years as a company, Vedat Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Burkasan Plastik Kimya Ambalaj Atık Recycling, said, “We came together with 3 companies and established a company of legal entities for the waste management of Izmir Free Zone. By determining the needs of the region, we have made the necessary investments such as equipment and processes, and obtained our licenses. We started negotiations and agreements with companies. Our goal is to dominate the entire region and manage the waste of all operating companies.”
Mountains of waste are being created behind their facilities
Stating that the waste management system in free zones operates with special laws and legislative regulations, Vedat Kılıç said, “Free zones are zones that are considered outside the customs territory of Turkey, even if they are in Turkish territory. They are classified as abroad. Therefore, the wastes generated as a result of production and consumption activities cannot go out randomly. A commission needs to see the waste, define what it is and where it will be taken. After all examinations are completed, the waste is allowed to exit. Waste is sometimes discharged every 15-20 days, sometimes every 2 months. As such, factories that have to produce every day create mountains of waste behind their facilities. This is not a method we desire in waste management.”
We will also obtain licenses for interim storage of hazardous wastes
Emphasizing the need to manage waste on a daily basis and to separate and reduce it at its source, Kılıç said, “With the 8 thousand square meter facility we have established, we have brought an innovative method to the region other than traditional management. We manage waste by placing containers to companies every day according to waste types.” Stating that they will also obtain a license for the interim storage of hazardous wastes at the facility this year, Kılıç said that by the end of the year, they will be able to provide services in the fields of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, packaging waste and environmental consultancy in addition to integrated waste management. Kılıç also noted that they plan to increase employment from 35 to 50 by the end of the year.