Zero Waste Foundation
The Zero Waste Foundation is a Turkish nonprofit that promotes zero waste and circular economy principles through international forums, public festivals, academic programs, and government partnerships, serving municipalities, institutions, and citizens under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersÜsküdar
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Zero Waste Foundation does
The Zero Waste Foundation (Sıfır Atık Vakfı) is a Turkish nonprofit foundation established in 2023 under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan in cooperation with Turkey's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Its mission is to promote zero waste principles, accelerate the transition to circular economy models, and advance sustainable development through education, research, and global collaboration. The foundation serves public institutions, municipalities, schools, universities, private-sector entities (hotels, restaurants, malls, hospitals), and civil society by providing zero waste system installation frameworks, education programs, and community mobilization initiatives.
The foundation's core offerings include the international Zero Waste Forum (convening 183 countries and 120+ ministers), the Zero Waste Festival (1M+ visitors), the ITU Zero Waste Institute master's programme, the COP31 Türkiye digital platform, zero waste system installation guidance for municipalities and institutions, and the Wetlands Protection Program covering 120+ sites. It does not develop or sell technology products; its core work involves waste management frameworks, circular economy methodologies, and awareness/education programs.
The foundation operates as a grant- and government-supported nonprofit. Revenue is not generated through commercial product sales; instead, funding flows from Turkish government support, international partnerships, and multilateral grants. Its go-to-market centers on event-driven engagement (Zero Waste Forum, Festival, COP31, London Climate Action Week) and community-led mobilization across 39 Istanbul districts and beyond. Key strategic partners include Turkey's Ministry of Environment, ITU, UNICEF, G7 governments, the Government of Ethiopia (Africa expansion), the World Economic Forum, UN bodies (UNEP, UN Habitat, UN Zero Waste Advisory Board), and Boğaziçi University.
Zero Waste Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zero Waste Foundation
- Legal name
- SIFIR ATIK VAKFI
- Website
- https://sifiratikvakfi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Zero Waste Foundation is a Turkish nonprofit that promotes zero waste and circular economy principles through international forums, public festivals, academic programs, and government partnerships, serving municipalities, institutions, and citizens under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zero Waste Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Advocacy & Sustainability Services
- NAICS
- All Other Waste Management Services (56299), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pollution Prevention & Toxics Reduction (BPAGAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL), Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)
Keywords
Where Zero Waste Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Üsküdar
Offices2 records
Markets served
Zero Waste Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Foundation / Nonprofit Operations: As a nonprofit foundation established under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan in cooperation with Turkey's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Zero Waste Foundation operates through government support, international partnerships, and grant-based funding. Revenue is not generated through commercial product sales.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Zero Waste Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zero Waste Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes and sustains the Zero Waste Project by organizing international forums and public festivals, providing zero waste system installation guidance to institutions, running academic programs through the ITU Zero Waste Institute, producing research reports and educational resources, and coordinating climate diplomacy through UN Advisory Board leadership and the COP31 Türkiye platform. The foundation does not sell products or services commercially; its offerings are delivered through government partnerships, institutional cooperation, and direct public engagement.
Product overview
Zero Waste Foundation operates as a non-governmental organization focused on promoting and ensuring sustainability of the Zero Waste Project. The foundation's portfolio consists of the international Zero Waste Forum event platform, the ITU Zero Waste Institute academic program, the COP31 Türkiye digital platform, and the Zero Waste Festival public event. Supporting services include Zero Waste System Installation Guidance for municipalities and businesses, Zero Waste Exhibitions for public awareness, the Global Zero Waste Zones urban transformation initiative, and the Wetlands Protection environmental program. These offerings work together to advance zero waste principles, circular economy practices, and climate action across Turkey and internationally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zero Waste Forum
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million visitors at the Zero Waste Festival held June 4-7; 850 MWh renewable energy consumed with 530 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions prevented
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Zero Waste Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zero Waste Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zero Waste Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 50+ Countries (Global Zero Waste Forum)coreThe Zero Waste Forum involves ministers and representatives from 50+ countries discussing global waste challenges, promoting circular fashion solutions, and establishing the Global Zero Waste Business Coalition. Focus areas include fashion and textile waste reduction.
- Istanbul Technical University (ITU)coreCooperation protocol signed on May 12, 2025 establishing the ITU Zero Waste Institute — one of Turkey's first academic structures in zero waste and circular economy fields. The institute offers a master's program in zero waste, circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste management. Brings together ITU's scientific expertise and the Zero Waste Foundation's field experience.
- G7 CountriescoreComprehensive cooperation established with G7 countries during Paris engagements covering zero waste, circular economy, waste-related emissions reduction, and climate action. A special working group is being established for joint work during COP31 (Turkey) and COP32 (Ethiopia) processes. Engagements held with representatives from France, Germany, United Kingdom, and the G7 Presidency.
- UNICEFcoreZero Waste Foundation and UNICEF joined forces for children's climate future, combining their respective strengths to engage young people in climate action and zero waste awareness through education and awareness programs.
- Government of EthiopiacoreZero Waste Foundation and the Government of Ethiopia launched a period of joint work on Africa's climate agenda. An Africa Meeting will be held in Addis Ababa as part of Zero Waste Forum 2027. Cooperation areas include regional climate priorities, sustainable development goals, resource efficiency, circular economy practices, and zero waste solutions.
- Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Turkey)coreCo-organized the Zero Waste Festival at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. The ministry contributed the energy and technology section featuring solar energy systems, wind technologies, energy storage solutions, smart city applications, and efficiency-oriented innovative technologies. Festival attracted over 1 million visitors.
- Boğaziçi UniversityminorPartnership with Zero Waste Foundation for sustainable future vision, creating collaborative academic and practical initiatives in environmental sustainability.
- UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)coreEngagement with UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete addressing Africa's sustainable development goals, climate resilience, access to climate finance, and stronger representation of Africa in global climate processes within the COP31-COP32 cooperation framework.
- World Economic ForumcoreStrong cooperation established between Zero Waste Foundation and World Economic Forum. Samed Ağırbaş, President of the foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, participated in World Economic Forum Leaders Summit, strengthening international climate diplomacy and zero waste agenda alignment.
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)minorMeeting between Samed Ağırbaş and UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad in Bonn to evaluate joint international efforts on land protection, combating desertification, and sustainable land management within the COP31 goals framework.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zero Waste Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A leading global nonprofit advancing the circular economy through research, business engagement, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to the Zero Waste Foundation's circular economy and zero waste policy focus, with a similar model of international convening and corporate coalition-building.
- Climate Action Network (CAN): A worldwide network of 1,800+ NGOs working to drive ambitious climate policy and influence UN climate negotiations. Comparable as a coalition-based advocacy organization engaging governments and civil society on climate and waste policy.
- Greenpeace: A global environmental nonprofit focused on climate, oceans, and waste advocacy with multinational campaigns and grassroots mobilization. Comparable in advocacy-driven environmental mission and global convening reach.
Emerging players
- ClientEarth: An environmental law nonprofit using legal action and policy advocacy to advance climate and waste regulation in Europe and beyond. Comparable as a non-operational, advocacy-and-policy-focused environmental organization with international scope.
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): A global nonprofit running disclosure systems for climate, water, and forests used by governments and corporations. Comparable as a non-profit operating international platforms that shape corporate and government environmental behavior.
Broad incumbents
- Global Environment Facility (GEF): A multilateral fund financing environmental projects in developing countries across climate, biodiversity, and waste. Comparable as an institutional funder and convener of national-level environmental programs.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): A large global conservation NGO working on biodiversity, climate, and resource stewardship, including waste and circular economy programs. Comparable as a broad environmental nonprofit with international convening power and multi-country project execution.
- World Resources Institute (WRI): A global research organization producing data-driven policy guidance on environmental and sustainability issues, including waste and circular economy. Comparable as a research-and-policy nonprofit influencing national and international climate/waste policy.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): The UN's designated environmental authority coordinating global environmental policy, including waste and circular economy programs. Comparable as the institutional counterpart that the Zero Waste Foundation partners with through the UN Zero Waste Advisory Board.
Regional players
- RECYCLING FOUNDATION (Letsrecycle / REI): A UK-focused waste and recycling information/services network supporting recycling initiatives across Europe. Comparable as a waste-management-focused nonprofit promoting zero waste and circular economy practices, but operating primarily in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zero Waste Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceZero Waste Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zero Waste Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Zero Waste Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zero Waste Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste Foundation
What does Zero Waste Foundation do?
Zero Waste Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes and sustains the Zero Waste Project by organizing international forums and public festivals, providing zero waste system installation guidance to institutions, running academic programs through the ITU Zero Waste Institute, producing research reports and educational resources, and coordinating climate diplomacy through UN Advisory Board leadership and the COP31 Türkiye platform. The foundation does not sell products or services commercially; its offerings are delivered through government partnerships, institutional cooperation, and direct public engagement.
Is Zero Waste Foundation a public or private company?
Zero Waste Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Zero Waste Foundation founded?
Zero Waste Foundation was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zero Waste Foundation based?
Zero Waste Foundation is headquartered in Üsküdar.
How does Zero Waste Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation / Nonprofit Operations.
Who are Zero Waste Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Climate Action Network (CAN) and Greenpeace. Emerging players are ClientEarth and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). Broad incumbents are Global Environment Facility (GEF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), World Resources Institute (WRI) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). RECYCLING FOUNDATION (Letsrecycle / REI) is listed as a regional player.
Does Zero Waste Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zero Waste Foundation.
What industry is Zero Waste Foundation in?
Zero Waste Foundation's product category is Environmental Advocacy & Sustainability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAJ, Pollution Prevention & Toxics Reduction, with a secondary code of EUAHAJAL, Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging). Its NAICS code is 56299 and its SIC code is 4950.