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Waste Management
ASELSAN manages the wastes generated as a result of its activities in a way to minimize their environmental impact, taking into account the waste management hierarchy. This management approach, which starts by reducing waste at its source, includes reuse, recycling and disposal as the final method.
Waste management activities are handled within the scope of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard and relevant practices and reporting are carried out in accordance with environmental legislation.
ASELSAN, whose main environmental goals include minimizing waste generation and reducing the consumption of natural resources, regularly monitors waste generation in its facilities. In line with the Environmental Policy and management system, it is aimed to reduce the amount of waste generated as a result of production activities, to separate it at its source before disposal and to recycle it at the maximum level. In this context; correct and systematic sorting, proper disposal and recycling of wastes are carried out effectively at the facilities. Within the scope of all these processes, the separation of wastes according to their types and their temporary storage are carried out in a way that does not harm the environment and occupational health and safety. Each waste is categorized as hazardous, non-hazardous, medical and packaging waste, and each facility has separate storage areas for each type of waste. Waste storage and disposal activities are carried out in accordance with waste management legislation, and waste oil categorization analyses are carried out by licensed institutions authorized by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and accredited by TÜRKAK in accordance with the legislation.
As with non-hazardous waste, the reduction of hazardous waste is one of the principles of integrated management systems. For this purpose, studies are carried out within the scope of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard and solutions are produced to reduce hazardous waste generation through training and awareness activities. The amount of waste separated and waste reduction practices implemented are reported every year and system performance is measured. Individual and managerial targets are set to reduce the amount of waste, and efforts are carried out and supported to improve the system performance every year.
Electronic waste is also handled within this scope and regularly sent to licensed companies for recycling. Electronic wastes brought by employees from their homes are also collected in order to raise environmental awareness and reduce environmental damage not only at the workplace but also at home. In this context, the amount of electronic waste transferred to recycling and reuse has been increased.
Special processes are followed in working with radiation and waste management. If deemed necessary by the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Agency (TENMAK), personal dosimeters are provided for personnel working with radiation emitting devices. All work on this issue is managed within the scope of the Radiation Emergency Plan. Radioactive materials that will not be used are transferred to a radioactive material storage area away from work areas and with controlled entry and exit before final disposal.
Zero Waste
In addition to the existing waste management practices carried out at ASELSAN, the Zero Waste Project was launched in the last quarter of 2019 in order to use resources efficiently, prevent waste, minimize waste generation and ensure recovery, and the project is expanded every year with awareness activities.
Project scope;
• Face-to-face trainings were provided to cleaning and cafeteria staff, and staff were informed through announcements and brochures.
• Waste sorting stations were placed in Akyurt I, Akyurt II, Gölbaşı and Macunköy cafeterias, where plastic waste, paper waste and other wastes were sorted. After sorting, the leftovers left in the tray are sent to the animal shelter and utilized.
• The use of garbage bins in work areas and offices was discontinued and waste sorting stations were installed in designated common areas.
Coming out of the established stations and office areas;
- Biodegradable waste,
- Paper waste,
- Plastic waste,
- Glass waste,
- Metal waste,
- Other waste from office areas have started to be sorted with the established stations.
• In addition to waste sorting stations in offices and work areas, waste bins for battery waste, electronic waste, vegetable oil waste, and clothing and toy collection bins have been placed at the entrances and parking lots of the campus.
• With the help of the composting machine installed at ASELSAN, compost is produced from biodegradable waste collected at waste sorting stations and vegetable waste from cooking.
•In order to reduce the consumption of natural resources, the use of paper cups in work areas was discontinued and all employees were given glass cups and porcelain mugs to replace paper cups.
•Waste medicine boxes were placed in infirmaries to prevent misuse of expired, broken or spoiled medicines.
Within the scope of the studies carried out, the Basic Level Zero Waste Certificate was obtained in January 2020 for ASELSAN's three main campuses; Macunköy, Akyurt and Gölbaşı. Waste Coordinators were appointed at the campuses to supervise and improve the implementation of Zero Waste principles. With daily checks, the level of awareness in waste separation is measured, inappropriate situations are identified and necessary actions are taken.
Alternative means of awareness raising are used to strengthen Zero Waste awareness and create a culture of sustainable integrated management systems. In this context, competitions and awareness-raising activities are organized at regular intervals.
With its success in waste management practices, ASELSAN was deemed worthy of an award at the UK-based Green Apple Awards, one of the most recognized environmental awards in the world.