Trakya University continues to raise awareness on the protection of nature, green and environment for a sustainable and healthy future. Trakya University, which has contributed to the environmental cleanliness and protection of nature in all segments of the society and has the consciousness of creating social awareness on this issue, has made an emphasis on environmental sensitivity with the contributions of Environmental Problems Application and Research Center (ÇEVSAM). ÇEVSAM, set out with the motto “No to Plastic” and carried out exemplary works on environmental cleaning and recycling, have made a live conference called “Is life without plastic possible”, where they exposed the danger posed by plastic wastes and its negative affect. 

In the conference, ÇEVSAM Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Boz has made a speech and said “We want to raise awareness on environmental cleanliness through seminars, conferences and training programs and to arouse environmental awareness in all segments of the society. To raise awareness on the use of plastic, one of the biggest causes of environmental pollution, to transfer a cleaner, greener, more livable nature to future generations, we need to increase the sensitivity and attention to these issues. Environmental problems have become a global concern for the whole world. We need to draw attention to the importance of effective messages of goodwill messages, sensitivity calls as well as scientific problems in the scientific field”.

Dr. İlhan Akgün, who has lectured in the fields of "Environment and Tourism" and "Sustainability from Environmental and Social Perspectives" and participated in research missions in institutions and organizations operating in various regions of the world and in various non-governmental organizations operating in the international field, talked about the effects of plastic wastes on pollution caused by human beings and the lives of living beings in his presentation titled “Plastic Problem” at Trakya University. Akgün also said that one of the biggest sources of plastic products threatening human and living life is synthetic textile products followed by vehicle tires and city dust. Plastic pollution is composed of 35% synthetic textile, 28% vehicle tires and 24% city dust. In nature, nothing disappears, we can only say it's transforming. Individual and social steps can be taken to minimize the problems caused by plastic pollution says İlhan Akgün, by adding that “In order to raise public awareness, we should not expect everything from children, we should raise awareness among the elders. We can use cloth bags or paper bags instead of plastic bags. We may refuse to accept disposable plastic products, and we may demonstrate our best efforts and response to the prohibition of them. We can be a little more sensitive about recycling. Participating in volunteer work and taking part in social responsibility projects can also contribute to awareness raising. 

Trakya University Environmental Problems and Research Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Boz, Center employees, Trakya University student community’s representatives, various NGO members, academics and students have attended the conference.