“Further Ahead, the Best” at Hacettepe: A Smart and Rewarding Era in Waste Management Has Begun

Hacettepe University is taking its leadership in sustainability one step further with the motto “Further Ahead, the Best.” Combining its long-established experience in waste management with a technological reward system, our university has implemented the “Smart Deposit Return System” with the support of the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA), under the coordination of the Rectorate, and through the efforts of the Sustainable Campuses Coordinatiorship (SYK).

Hacettepe University is putting into practice the digitalization of waste management and the circular economy model at the Beytepe Campus. As one of the first implementations of this scale among universities in Turkey, the system transforms recycling from merely an environmental responsibility into a model that provides direct economic benefit to campus users.

A New Face of Recycling: Monetary Value

The most distinctive aspect of the system is that campus users can instantly receive monetary value in return for the plastic, glass, and aluminum packaging they recycle. Through the system, which operates in full integration with the DOA Mobile Application, each returned package corresponds to a digital value. These accumulated balances can be used not only within the campus but also as a payment method at all shopping points where the application is valid and for general expenditures.

User Guide in 4 Steps for Zero Waste and Benefit

To contribute to Hacettepe’s sustainable future while gaining economic benefit, you can follow these steps:

• 1. Keep Your DOA Application Updated: Log in to the DOA application you use for waste tracking and check that your digital wallet feature is active.
• 2. Prepare the Packaging: Make sure that the plastic (PET), glass, or aluminum packaging to be returned is empty and that the barcode is readable.
• 3. Identify via QR Code: At the machine, scan your personal QR code from the DOA application into the system. In this way, the value of each package you return will be instantly assigned to your personal account.
• 4. Deliver the Waste, Spend Your Earnings: Place the packaging into the machine. At the end of the process, you can use the monetary value accumulated in your wallet at all contracted points as you wish, turning your environmentally conscious approach into economic benefit.

Sustainable Campus, Strong Future

This process, which has been put into service at the Beytepe Campus Student Cafeteria, continues to minimize the campus carbon footprint while ensuring that packaging waste is reintegrated into the economy as raw material. With this model that combines technology and economy with environmental awareness, Hacettepe University strengthens its identity as one of the institutions that provide the strongest support to Turkey’s “Zero Waste” goals.

Detailed Information: More detailed information about the functioning of the system and its current advantages can be accessed at depozitoiademakinesi.com.