The Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Fatma Sahin, has announced the successful first harvest of strawberries from a state-of-the-art greenhouse powered by energy derived from waste. This initiative highlights Gaziantep’s commitment to sustainability and zero waste, aiming to provide fresh produce while reducing environmental impact.
A Sustainable Farming Revolution
The newly established greenhouse, covering 700 square meters with 640 square meters dedicated to strawberry production and 60 square meters for heating, represents a significant leap in sustainable agriculture. This facility employs cutting-edge soilless farming technology and fully automated systems to grow strawberries in coconut shells, enhanced by specialized LED lighting to maximize photosynthesis.
The greenhouse benefits from 80°C hot water and electricity generated through gas engines fueled by methane gas from the city’s solid waste storage. This innovative approach not only utilizes waste energy but also contributes to the city’s zero waste goals. The greenhouse is expected to produce up to 8 tons of strawberries annually.
Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Mayor Fatma Sahin, who attended the first harvest, expressed pride in the project’s dual impact on both the environment and the community. “We will have 8 tons of strawberries a year. We will send the strawberries produced here as a gift to our citizens over the age of 65,” Sahin stated. This initiative is part of Gaziantep’s broader Zero Waste Project, which aims to create a healthier and greener environment for future generations.
The strawberries will be distributed through the Retirement Card application, ensuring that the city’s elderly population benefits from this innovative project. Sahin emphasized the success of turning waste energy into fresh produce, noting, “When I took office as Metropolitan Mayor in 2014, there were too many flies, and this waste storage area had huge problems. Now we are able to use the energy generated from the waste in this area for strawberry production.”
Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Under Sahin’s leadership, Gaziantep has seen a remarkable transformation in its waste management and energy production. The city now produces 13 megawatts of energy from methane gas, a significant increase from the previous 2 megawatts. Additionally, the shift to solar power has enabled Gaziantep to operate with zero waste, setting a benchmark for circular systems in Turkey.
Sahin praised the collaborative efforts behind the project, stating, “We are a team that embodies the Zero Waste Project. We have written an extraordinary success story together, with our solar energy on the one hand, our Zero Waste Project on the other, and the strawberries produced on the third. This is the time when knowledge becomes wisdom.”
The greenhouse not only symbolizes Gaziantep’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also serves as a model for sustainable urban agriculture. By converting waste energy into valuable produce and distributing it to the elderly, the city demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability and community care.
