12.3.1. Waste Tracking

Middle East Technical University (METU) operates a comprehensive, whole-university waste measurement and tracking framework managed by the METU Zero Waste Unit. METU systematically measures and logs the precise quantities of recycled materials, hazardous waste streams, and organic residues across all campus facilities. In 2025, the university tracked and processed 196,400 kg of recycled inorganic waste, 850 kg of disposed waste vegetable oil, and 139 kg of spent batteries in partnership with accredited national recovery associations.

Campus-Wide Measured Recycling & Waste Data (2025 Annual Metrics)

According to the official 2025 records of the METU Zero Waste Unit, empirical measurement covers all primary waste streams across the entire university campus:

• Recycled Inorganic Materials (Paper/Cardboard, Plastics, Metals, Glass):
• Total Recycled Volume: 196,400 kg

• Disposed Waste Vegetable Oils:
• Total Disposed Volume: 850 kg

• Hazardous Portable Batteries & Collection Infrastructure:
• Total Collected Batteries: 139 kg
• Collected spent batteries were safely transferred to the Portable Battery Manufacturers and Importers Association (TAP - Taşınabilir Pil Üreticileri ve İthalatçıları Derneği) for hazardous processing.
• Infrastructure Expansion: In 2025, METU procured and deployed 40 new waste battery collection boxes from TAP, strategically distributing them across required campus locations to strengthen hazardous waste collection coverage.

 https://imidb.metu.edu.tr/tr/faaliyet-raporlari