Gezer Ayakkabı, one of Turkey’s leading footwear brands, has implemented a significant transformation in its production processes as part of its environmental vision, bolstered by the ‘Zero Waste Certificate’. The company converts waste from its factories into electrical energy by incinerating it in modern facilities; in 2025, it generated 74.5 MWh of electricity solely through zero-waste practices.

According to the environmental impact report shared by Gezer, a waste recovery volume of 59.5 tonnes was achieved in 2025. By converting this waste into energy, both the volume of waste was reduced and a contribution was made to the circular economy. The company continued its investments in energy transition. Thanks to solar panels installed on the roofs of its production facilities, 3,802 MWh of electricity was generated annually. This output met approximately 75 per cent of the facilities’ total electricity requirements. Furthermore, by recovering waste through the R1 incineration method rather than landfilling it, the formation of methane gas—a key driver of global warming—was also prevented.

A carbon saving of 62.5 tonnes

The net reduction of 62.5 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions achieved through the company’s operational processes was among the notable environmental gains. According to the published data, this figure is equivalent to the carbon emissions produced by a passenger car travelling approximately 284,500 kilometres. This distance is equivalent to circling the Earth seven times or making 630 round trips between Istanbul and Ankara. It was noted that the energy savings achieved were equivalent to fully charging approximately 7.6 million smartphones, whilst the environmental contribution was stated to be equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by 3,000 mature trees in a single year. It was also recorded that a single waste operation eliminated the carbon footprint resulting from the annual electricity consumption of approximately 35 households.

The ‘Zero Waste’ vision is being brought to industry

The company’s efforts were seen as a parallel approach to the ‘Zero Waste Project’, launched in 2017 under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was emphasised that the company has integrated the philosophy that ‘Waste is not rubbish, but the energy of the future’ into its production processes.

‘We are repaying our debt to nature through figures’

Commenting on the matter, Osman Özalp, General Manager of Gezer Ayakkabı, stated that environmental responsibility is addressed in tandem with economic efficiency. Özalp said, "We have certified our commitment to the environment with the Zero Waste Certificate. On the occasion of 30 March, International Zero Waste Day, I would like to emphasise once again that the 62.5-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide emissions we have achieved is not merely a matter of cost management, but a debt of loyalty to our country and our future. By extending the circular economy beyond paper, plastic, glass and metal, we are returning 100 per cent of the polymers and textile offcuts used in footwear production back to the production line before they even reach waste status. Behind this success lies the hard work of our 1,500 employees," he said.

Gezer aims to be one of the pioneers of the green transition in industry through the environmentally focused investments it is undertaking.