METU Climate Change and Sustainable Development Application and Research Center (METU CLIMATE), based on the Middle East Technical University Erdemli Campus, hosted its first-ever Swap Market event on September 24, 2024, as part of their sustainable campus concept.
At the Swap Market event that promoted social, environmental, and economic sustainability, members of the METU Graduate School of Marine Sciences brought and exchanged the items that they no longer needed but were still in usable condition, allowing them to be reused. Among the products exchanged at the market were bags, books, perfume, slippers, jewelry, household goods, and clothes. While preventing excessive waste production, the event also aimed to promote and spread sustainable living practices.
Prof. Barış Salihoğlu, Director of METU CLIMATE and the METU Graduate School of Marine Sciences, as well as Advisor to the President at METU, highlighted the importance of sustainable transportation by attending the event by his bicycle. Participants of the event shared their own sustainable living practices in the “sharing circle” that was created. These shared practices included composting, repairing broken items, commuting by bicycle, beekeeping, wearing second-hand clothes, abstaining from consuming meat products, and sorting waste.
In addition to promoting the efficient use of resources, the Swap Market also enhanced collaboration and solidarity among its participants. Having gained the motivation to incorporate the eco-friendly practices they learnt from each other into their lives, participants also expressed that they would welcome more frequently organized events promoting sustainability.
As part of the event aimed at raising awareness about sustainability and zero waste, participants explored the swap market after the sharing circle and had the opportunity to experience the practice of swapping as a sustainable living method, leaving with items that suited their needs.
