CIRCULAR ECONOMY APPLICATION FROM SEM Plastik AT Istanbul Technical University:
AN ALTERNATIVE TO SINGLE-USE WITH “SEM REFILL”

As part of the Clean Energy Days held at Istanbul Technical University, SEM Plastik implemented a model application that brings its sustainability vision into practice.

The “SEM Refill” reusable cup system developed by SEM Plastik was introduced as a tangible circular economy model, directly experienced by hundreds of participants throughout the event.

An Alternative System to Single-Use with “SEM Refill”

During the event, coffee served to participants was provided in SEM Refill cups instead of single-use products.

After use, the cups were returned to designated collection points, gathered through a centralized system, and subjected to industrial washing processes before being quickly reintroduced into circulation. In this way, the same product was reused multiple times throughout the event, ensuring resource efficiency.

Thanks to this system:

• Single-use waste was significantly reduced
• Carbon footprint was lowered through repeated use of the same product
• Participants experienced sustainability firsthand, not just in theory

At the end of the event, cups that had reached the end of their lifecycle were sent for recycling, ensuring the preservation of material value and reintegration into the circular economy.

A Local and Scalable Circular Model

Reuse systems, which are becoming increasingly widespread in large-scale events around the world, have been shown to create a lower environmental impact compared to single-use products—even after just a few cycles of use.

SEM Plastik has adapted this approach to local conditions in Turkey, introducing a domestic and scalable model in practice.

Statement from SEM Plastik

Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of SEM Plastik, commented on the initiative as follows:

“Today, sustainability gains real meaning not by talking about it, but by putting it into practice. With the SEM Refill system, our goal is to offer a realistic, applicable, and scalable alternative to fast consumption habits. When designed correctly, this model clearly demonstrates that plastics can be part of the solution—not the problem.”

A System-Based Approach to Sustainability

SEM Plastik continues to lead transformation in the industry by addressing sustainability not only at the product level but also through a system-based approach with the model it has developed.

This implementation at Istanbul Technical University stands as a significant example for the wider adoption of event-based circular usage systems in Turkey, while once again demonstrating SEM Plastik’s pioneering role in sustainability.

https://www.posta.com.tr/ekonomi/yeniden-kullanilabilir-bardak-deneyimi-2987120