“Education is the heart of zero waste; because change begins with knowledge.”
The Zero Waste Training Program aims to strengthen zero waste initiatives at Istanbul Aydın University through a collaboration between AKEV, the Sustainability Coordination Office, and the Sustainability Board. The program focuses on developing sustainable consumption behaviors and creating community-based solutions.
Initially, volunteer undergraduate and associate degree students will receive zero waste training. The program encourages volunteering practices and establishes a mentor-mentee relationship, training participants to become educators in various zero waste categories to ensure the continuity of awareness and behavioral change.
Objectives of the Zero Waste Training Program
Participants will:
• Understand the environmental, social, and economic impacts of waste
• Develop awareness of resource efficiency and sustainable consumption
• Acquire practical zero waste habits
• Increase capacity for community-based solutions
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to:
• Reduce waste in daily life
• Maintain recycling habits
• Serve as role models for family and friends
• Actively participate in community projects
Five Steps for Success in Zero Waste Training
- Awareness: Understand the problem
- Knowledge: Learn solutions
- Participation: Ensure everyone is involved
- Action: Apply solutions in daily life
- Sustainability: Make behavioral changes permanent
Training Methods
• Participant-Centered Learning
• Experiential Learning
• Visual and Practical Materials
• Local Examples and Case Studies
Training Sessions
- Preparation Phase
• Identify target audience (students, teachers, municipal staff, etc.)
• Select training location, duration, and tools
• Prepare training materials - Implementation Phase
• Assess participants’ prior knowledge
• Conduct interactive activities, games, discussions, and practical exercises
• Collect feedback - Evaluation Phase
• Measure participants’ learning levels
• Monitor post-training behavioral changes
• Share successful examples
Sample Activities
• Daily Waste Analysis: Raise awareness of personal consumption habits
• Zero Waste Competition: Encourage hands-on learning
• Waste-to-Art Workshop: Boost creativity and promote reuse
• Composting Workshop: Teach organic waste recycling
• Zero Waste Map: Raise local resource awareness
Materials and Tools
• Training cards made from recycled materials
• Zero waste posters and brochures
• Video presentations and short documentaries
• Compost bins and sample sorting containers
• Role-playing or drama cards
Evaluation and Feedback
Feedback will be collected from participants to:
• Identify program strengths
• Determine areas for improvement
• Track behavioral changes
Evaluation Tools:
• Surveys
• Group discussions
• Short written tests or creative exercises
Program Duration
Total: 32 hours
• 8 Modules × 4 hours each
• Each module: 2 hours theoretical + 2 hours practical/discussion/workshop
This program is FREE for our students.