The Ödemiş Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (Ödemiş ISWMP) is a crucial part of the İzmir Integrated Waste Management Plan, which was initiated by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality in 2018 to address the pressing issue of municipal solid waste management across seven districts. Prior to the implementation of this project, municipal solid waste was merely collected and disposed of in landfills, leading to uncontrolled methane emissions which is a significant contributor to climate change.

The Ödemiş ISWMP uses advanced technologies that transform waste into valuable resources. The project includes mechanical and thermal treatment processes that produce Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), as well as anaerobic digestion with biogas recovery. Non-recyclable, combustible waste is converted into RDF, which is used as a substitute for fossil fuels in cement factories.

The facility incorporates Material Recovery Facility that separates recyclable materials from the waste stream, ensuring high recovery rates. Organic waste, including animal manure, is processed through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas that is then converted into electricity and heat in a cogeneration unit.

The Ödemiş ISWMP processes approximately 800 tons of waste daily. The project makes significant contributions to five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In alignment with SDG 7, the project generates approximately 152,100 MWh of electricity annually by converting waste into renewable energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting Türkiye’s transition to a more sustainable energy mix.

The project also supports SDG 8 by creating over 200 jobs, with more than 65 positions filled by women. By emphasizing local hiring and providing annual training to its employees, the project fosters skill development and contributes to economic growth and a significant decrease in unemployment in the region.

Furthermore, the Ödemiş ISWMP contributes to SDG 9 by employing advanced technologies such as fully automated waste sorting systems and high-efficiency biogas digesters.

The project also aligns with SDG 12 by playing a critical role in Türkiye's Zero Waste initiative. Through its circular approach to waste management, the Ödemiş ISWMP transforms organic waste into energy and valuable by-products like organic fertilizer, significantly reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.

Moreover, the project is a major contributor to SDG 13, as it captures and converts methane from waste into energy, thereby preventing significant greenhouse gas emissions. The project is estimated to reduce emissions by 191,383 tCO2e annually, totaling up to 1,339,679 tCO2e over the 7-year crediting period.