DEEP Project 2nd Study Visit Held in Spain

The second study visit was carried out within the scope of the “Technical Assistance for Assessment of Türkiye’s Potential on Transition to Circular Economy Project” (DEEP) that prepares the roadmap for Türkiye's transition to a circular economy; the first study visit was held in Barcelona, Spain between 18 September and 22 September 2023 to exchange information on ongoing activities and practices related to the circular economy in the context of resource and waste management in EU countries.

Zübeyir Dedeoğlu, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Deputy Head of Turkish Environment Agency; Salih Eminoğlu, Directorate General of Environmental Management Circular Economy Policies Directorate Branch Manager; Demet Erdoğan, Municipal and Biodegradable Waste Management  Branch Manager; Şule Yetkin, Environment and Urbanisation Expert from Circular Economy Policies Branch Directorate; Zeynep Sayaroğlu Karaboğa, Environmental Engineer from Department of Zero Waste Practices and the Project Team, took part in the Turkish delegation that carried out the second study visit of DEEP Project.

During the second study visit, local practices regarding Barcelona Region waste collection systems were analysed. In addition, within the scope of the visit, good practices of the local administrations and enterprises of the Barcelona Region on circular economy and processing of different waste streams were observed on site.

Within the scope of the programme, The Waste Agency of Catalonia, MedWaves - The UNEP/MAP Regional Action Centre for Sustainable Production and Consumption, Trinijove Foundation, Barcelona City Council, Roba Amiga Cooperativa, Electrorecycling, MedCities, Ecoembes Barcelona, Barcelona Metropolitan Area Government, Tersa (Barcelona Metropolitan Region Subsidiary), Espigoladors, Vallès Circular and Zona Franca Economia Circular were visited.

During these visits, information was exchanged on the following topics:

• Regional circular economy and waste management policies
• Raising awareness on separate collection / recycling issues
• Regional by-product exchange programme
• Work on circular economy within the Barcelona Convention
• Green entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean Region
• Policies and practices to tackle plastic pollution
• Barcelona Zero Waste Plan
• The Metropolitan Program for the prevention and management of municipal resources and waste 2019-2025 (PREMET25)
• Different systems for separate collection and separation of municipal waste at the source
• Green Point Network waste collection centres and user card applications
• Tax reductions with “pay-as-you-throw system”
• Sharing experience on re-evaluation of used textiles through reuse and recycling
• Sharing experience on the collection and processing of electronic waste
• Waste collection and management best practices from different local governments
• New National Packaging Legislation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) System
• RECICLOS - Return and Reward System
• Waste prevention projects and programs, campaigns
• Collection of food waste, donations, food banking and transformation into new products
• The importance of digitalization and innovation in the circular economy, robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and smart sensors
• Opportunities for industrial symbiosis and material exchange between facilities in the free zone

After the 5-day visit, the delegation concluded the study visit with an internal evaluation of the information obtained and possible cooperation.