UNDP launches model facility to recycle earthquake debris in Hatay

February 4, 2025
Construction site with machinery processing gravel and sand under a clear blue sky.

With a processing capacity of 500 tons per hour, the facility serves as a model for safe and effective debris recycling 

Hatay, 4 February 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change today officially launched a model debris recycling facility in Hatay. It was constructed as part of a JPY700 million (US$4.83 million) project funded by the Government of Japan which is aimed at demonstrating how vast quantities of earthquake debris can be managed safely. In total, two debris recycling facilities, one in Hatay and the other in Kahramanmaraş were established, and two mobile debris crushers were supplied for Hatay and one for Kahramanmaraş, in high-priority locations with critical hotspots.

The official launch event of the facility was attended by Miodrag Dragisic, UNDP Türkiye Deputy Resident Representative, Takahiko Katsumata, Ambassador of Japan, Fatih Turan, General Director for Environmental Management, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Mehmet Öntürk, Mayor of Hatay and Mustafa Masatlı, Governor of Hatay.

The February 2023 earthquakes resulted in a staggering volume of debris estimated at over 100 million cubic meters. An estimated 40 percent of all physical facilities were damaged in Hatay and 28 percent in Kahramanmaraş. The project aims to support environmentally sound management of debris and hazardous waste in these two provinces that experienced the worst destruction in the disaster. 

Through the initiative, the most suitable places for establishing debris recycling facilities were determined based on a multi-stakeholder assessment of temporary debris storage sites, for optimum efficiency and effectiveness.

The facility in Hatay, which received a license in September 2024, has a processing capacity of 500 tons per hour. Equipped with industrial-scale crushers, magnetic separators and belt conveyors, it processes debris in stages, first removing hazardous waste, then separating out recyclables such as metal, textiles, plastics, glass and wood. The remaining decontaminated debris is crushed into four different sizes, which can be used as filling material for roads under asphalt and for producing pavement blocks. 

To ensure the safety of personnel involved in the debris recycling process, operational health and safety equipment and relevant training were provided. Also, guidelines and standard operating procedures were prepared.

In addition to these activities, an effective asbestos management guideline was prepared for the facilities to protect public and environmental health, and asbestos machines were procured to pre-screen the asbestos in piles.

A workshop was conducted to transfer Japanese experience and knowhow, Japan technologies and international best practices.

Other activities within the project include the preparation of a strategy and action plan in collaboration with central and local authorities and in consultation with local communities to ensure the environmentally sound management of the full volume of earthquake debris, with a focus on reducing volume, recycling a maximum share of resources and safe disposal of hazardous waste. 

The project provides expertise, planning, training and equipment support to help Türkiye address the vast challenge of environmentally sound debris and hazardous waste management.