Demonstrating circular economy execution across Istanbul’s municipal systems, İSTAÇ has converted industrial and municipal waste streams into verified clean energy, community assets, and bio-industrial feedstocks. The International Green Apple Environment Awards benchmarked and selected three separate initiatives developed by the utility.
Awarded Initiatives and Operational Performance
Energy Recovery in Waste Incineration: Operating Turkey’s first municipal solid waste incineration facility, the plant processes waste into electrical power while recovering residual scrap metals from bottom ash. In 2025, the facility treated 1 million tons of municipal solid waste, generating 590,125 MWh of electricity. In aggregate, İSTAÇ waste-to-energy operations generated 1.3 million MWh of power in 2025—covering the electricity needs of 2.5 million residents and avoiding 4.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Circular Works Workshop (DİA): Advancing beyond mechanical recycling, DİA serves as a co-production and upcycling hub that repairs and redesigns discarded wood, metal, plastics, and electronic waste into durable urban furniture, architectural prototypes, and animal shelters. The facility pairs ecological recovery with inclusive social impact, offering training, tooling access, and skills development to women, youth, and underrepresented communities.
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Bioconversion: Converts organic food waste into sustainable insect meal, larval lipids, and nutrient-dense organic fertilizer ("frass"). Supported by TÜBİTAK-TEYDEB and conducted in partnership with 17 institutions under the "Agriculture 2030" program, the project establishes a circular biological input for domestic livestock and aquafeeds.
