Author: cevmuhendislik.web | Date: April 3, 2026

The “Zero Waste Hackathon”, held at Ondokuz Mayıs University as part of the International Zero Waste Day on March 30, stood out with strong student participation and innovative projects. The event aimed to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable lifestyles, bringing together students from different disciplines on a common platform.

The program, hosted at the Engineering Faculty Conference Hall, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer, and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Alper Burak Pancar, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Topcu, Director of ÇEVSAM and Head of the Environmental Engineering Department Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan, faculty members, and many students.

Organized under the theme “From Waste to Art,” the competition encouraged students to create both aesthetic and functional products using various waste materials. Through individual and team-based efforts, participants enhanced their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and efficient resource use. The projects clearly demonstrated how waste can be transformed into valuable resources when approached innovatively.

At the end of the competition, awards were presented to the winning students by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın. The event highlighted the capacity of young people to develop solutions to environmental challenges and was considered a significant step toward achieving sustainability goals.

Additionally, ongoing waste management practices on campus were introduced during the program. Students were given on-site demonstrations of the deposit return system at the Life Center and the composting unit at the Faculty of Science. These applications provided practical insights into packaging waste recovery and the reuse of organic waste.

Overall, the event and accompanying demonstrations contributed to strengthening the university’s sustainable campus vision while fostering environmental awareness and responsibility among students.