14.4.3. Reducing marine pollution (policy)

METU has a policy to prevent and reduce marine pollution, in particular from land-based activities.

Policy

METU's Nature and Ecosystems Policy commits the university to reducing and eliminating pollution of seas and fresh waters from land-based activities.

Implementation

• Laboratory chemicals are collected and disposed of by licensed companies and must not enter drains.

• Single-use plastics are banned in campus food outlets, and “Kaynak ODTÜ” replaces plastic bottles with free drinking water.

• Wastewater is treated before reuse or discharge to municipal treatment plants.

• The METU Institute of Marine Sciences coordinates the Türkiye hub of BlueMissionMed, the EU mission lighthouse for a pollution-free Mediterranean.