Best Practice from Türkiye: Recycling plastic, creating opportunities
In this interview, Eyyup Sezer talks about how his company promotes a circular economy and supports livelihoods for refugees at the same time.
Eyyup Sezer is the Sustainability Management Director of Sönmez Global, a plastic processing company based in Kilis, Türkiye. The company collects and recycles plastic waste from Germany and manufactures sustainable plastic products such as garden furniture or household items. In doing so, the company not only reduces waste and strengthens the circular economy. It also contributes to social cohesion: Sönmez Global, the region’s largest employer with 900 staff members, employs refugees from Syria. GIZ supports the company in this endeavour.
How did the cooperation with GIZ in Türkiye start and how did it make a difference for you?
We have known GIZ and its work in Türkiye for many years and have benefited from different forms of support and cooperation in the past. Including employment support and vocational training.
The cooperation with GIZ has helped us improve both our workplace practices and our overall capacity as a company. The practical support and expert input have helped us look at our employees’ needs and our way of working as a company from a different perspective. It demonstrates the value of working with international partners, who bring experience, technical knowledge and different perspectives.
Why are you committed to social cohesion?
Through our cooperation with GIZ, we have welcomed Syrian workers into our workforce alongside members of the host community. We also value efforts to promote women's employment and support a more diverse and inclusive workforce. GIZ's support in identifying and recruiting workers helps us meet our workforce needs while creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds. As one of the major employers in Kilis, we see providing a respectful, safe and inclusive working environment as both a social responsibility and an important part of building a stable and sustainable workforce.
In November, Türkiye will be the guest country for the COP. What would you like to see in the future?
COP will be an important opportunity to bring climate and sustainability discussions closer to the realities of businesses. As an entrepreneur, I would like to see more practical support for companies that want to invest in sustainable production and circular business models. In particular, companies need access to appropriate financing, new technologies, technical knowledge and stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors. It is important that sustainability goals are accompanied by concrete opportunities.
What advice would you give to other companies?
It is important to see sustainability and social cohesion not only as responsibilities, but also as opportunities for long-term business development.
We also believe that companies do not need to do everything alone. Cooperation with chambers of commerce, public institutions, international organisations and other companies can provide valuable knowledge and new opportunities.
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union, GIZ is working in Türkiye strengthening sustainable livelihoods and formal employment for refugees and host community members. To this end, it provides access to education and helps them find regular jobs – also in cooperation with companies such as Sönmez Global.
