A student-led zero waste journey at Vizyon College Bahcesehir, Türkiye

Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer

At Vizyon College’s Bahcesehir Campus in Türkiye, students recently participated in a hands-on learning experience that went beyond their usual classroom activities. 

Guided by Global Schools Advocate Elis Aydin, the school launched a Zero Waste Project designed to encourage students to see sustainability as a practical part of everyday life.

The project was driven by a commitment to nurture environmentally responsible students, grounded in the belief that small, local actions can collectively contribute to meaningful global change.

Through separating, reusing, and thoughtfully handling waste, students gained firsthand experience of how sustainability can become part of everyday school life.

The initiative forms part of the school’s long-term strategy to build a strong culture of sustainability and creativity across its campus.

The project centred on 3 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). 

Ahead of the activities, Elis and other teachers at Vizyon College led short, interactive sessions to introduce these goals in age-appropriate terms to students in Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14) over the course of the three-week project.

Students addressed topics such as waste management, overconsumption, recycling systems, and climate responsibility. Supported by visual materials and real-life examples, they were able to clearly link their creative work to wider global objectives. 

The students also collected recyclable materials from their homes and school environment, including paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal cans, and various packaging materials. After sorting the items, students worked in small groups to design and produce artworks and functional objects. While Elis and her fellow teachers guided the process, the concepts and designs were entirely student-led, with an emphasis on creativity, reuse, and delivering a clear environmental message.

The project got the recognition of the Başakşehir Mayor Yasin Kartoğlu who helped inspire and motivate students.

His visit and support for the Zero Waste movement in the district reinforced the role of local government in promoting sustainability alongside schools. The mayor’s visit left students feeling proud of their work and strengthened the idea that their efforts extended outside the classroom and contributed to the wider community.

According to Elis, The Zero Waste movement project helped students develop creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, while reinforcing values such as responsibility, environmental awareness, and resourcefulness. 

She said many students reported that they now view waste not as something to discard, but as a resource that can be reused in creative ways.

Elis explained that some of the projects created by the students included a model city built from cardboard and packaging waste, musical instruments made from plastic and metal, and art pieces representing nature and environmental protection. 

She said one of the most memorable moments came when students confidently explained how their work aligned with specific SDGs.

Elis noted to fellow Global Schools advocates that sustainability education works best when students are actively involved, with hands-on, creative projects enabling learners to engage with global goals in practical and lasting ways.

She said Vizyon College Bahcesehir Campus is proud to be part of the Global Schools Program and remains committed to integrating the SDGs into its educational mission, supporting every step toward a more sustainable future.