NBE / Zero waste, local production, and development through cultural heritage

SMART SUSTAINABILITY

Arda Öztaşkın

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The world is facing the shortcomings of the current development model, which focuses solely on economic growth. However, what we should be pursuing is not just economic growth, but sustainable development that also addresses social and environmental issues. To achieve sustainable development, a paradigm shift in the current economic model is needed. At the heart of this paradigm shift are critical issues such as the circular economy, zero-waste production, and supporting local producers. The circular economy reshapes production processes by viewing waste as a valuable resource, while supporting local producers is a strategic step that promotes both economic and cultural sustainability. According to a McKinsey report, circular economy practices have the potential to create $4.5 trillion in economic value for the global economy by 2030. This potential can only be realized through concrete processes, such as the revaluation of resources and the optimization of energy and water consumption.

Zero-Waste Production

The zero-waste approach is one of the core principles of the circular economy. According to this approach, materials used in production processes are either reused, recycled, or repurposed in another way. This approach not only represents environmental sensitivity but also carries significant economic value. Through zero-waste policies, the use of raw materials is optimized, energy and water consumption are reduced, and products are designed from the outset to facilitate recycling.

Local Production and Cultural Sustainability

Supporting local production is a highly strategic approach that encompasses the economic, social, environmental, and cultural dimensions of sustainable development. There are many win-win relationships here. Systems that operate with local production result in shorter supply chains, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Additionally, supporting local producers strengthens regional economies and ensures the sustainable continuation of agriculture, industry, and handicrafts. Local production also promotes cultural sustainability. Cultural sustainability aims to ensure that a community’s traditions, ways of life, and production methods continue in a sustainable way. This ensures the preservation of products unique to a region's geography, climate, and cultural fabric. For example, olive oil produced using traditional methods or wine made from local vineyards are not just products but also part of a region's cultural heritage. Such products play an important role in preserving the identity and history of local communities, thereby ensuring cultural sustainability.

Sustainable Production in Alaşehir

There are many good examples in Türkiye that stand out with this production model. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit one of them. At Mey Diageo's facility in Alaşehir, a zero-waste policy is applied in the production of traditional rakı, which holds a geographical indication. All waste produced during manufacturing is either recycled or used for energy generation in the final stages. Production in Alaşehir is carried out in collaboration with local producers, using grapes from local vineyards and anise grown in different regions of the country. This cycle, which starts with seeds and extends to production processes at the factory, offers an exemplary model that combines environmental sensitivity with the aim of preserving cultural heritage.

Conclusion:

The circular economy, zero-waste production, and supporting local producers not only offer solutions to environmental problems but also establish a new paradigm in terms of economic resilience and social sustainability. The widespread adoption of these models has the potential to create far-reaching impacts, from the conservation of natural resources to economic prosperity. Collaborations with local producers, in particular, have the potential to accelerate regional development, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen local economies. Moreover, these collaborations contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage by ensuring that traditional production methods continue to thrive in harmony with the modern world. The sustainable development paradigm is not limited to addressing the needs of today; it also lays a sustainable foundation for the societies, ecosystems, and economies of the future.