KUWAIT: The Turkish Embassy in Kuwait took part in a community recycling event on Monday, held under the Healthy City Project in partnership with the Asimah Governorate and Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem. The initiative aims to raise environmental awareness and foster a culture of sustainable living in Kuwaiti neighborhoods.
Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sönmez said the Embassy’s participation reflects a broader commitment to supporting local initiatives and contributing positively to the host society. “We want to be an active and responsible part of the society we live in. Kuwait is a unique example of a society that takes environmental responsibility seriously,” she said. “From neighborhoods to local associations — even housewives — people are doing their part to care for the environment.”
Participants sort recyclable materials during the Healthy City recycling initiative in Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem. – Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat
Sönmez expressed appreciation to the organizers for introducing the Embassy to the neighborhood’s recycling facility and the larger effort coordinated by the Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem Healthy City coalition. “This initiative is not just about recycling; it’s about a mindset of responsibility,” she said. “We were proud to join hands with the Governorate and the Healthy City team to show our support to those already working hard to protect the environment.”
The ambassador highlighted the importance of practicing the full “3Rs” of sustainability — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — starting with individual awareness and daily habits. “Recycling is just the third step. First, we must reduce what we consume — especially plastics, glass, metals and paper. Then we need to reuse whatever we can before we even think of recycling,” she explained. “Plastic waste in particular is a growing challenge in Kuwait. We must all take this seriously — not just for today, but for the generations to come.”
She stressed that environmental responsibility must start at home and be taught early, especially in schools. “It begins with individuals — teaching children from a young age how to care for the environment. But it also requires institutional support, and we’re grateful to see that local authorities and the Healthy City Coalition are playing an active role.” The ambassador also linked these values to Turkey’s foreign policy and its domestic efforts in environmental leadership. “In Turkey, we grow up learning to respect and protect the environment. It’s part of how we live — and also how we engage globally,” she said.
She added that the Turkish Embassy in Kuwait practices waste separation and recycling internally and will now contribute monthly to the Healthy City initiative by delivering its sorted waste for proper reuse and recycling. “We’re happy to now be part of this local cycle of responsibility. From now on, we will bring our recyclable materials every month to contribute to the community effort,” she said. The ambassador encouraged others in Kuwait’s diplomatic and expatriate communities to join the movement.
“I invite every embassy and every foreign resident in Kuwait to become part of this important journey. Together, we can make a real difference.” The Healthy City Project is a long-term initiative under Kuwait’s Ministry of Health and local municipalities to promote healthy, sustainable urban environments. Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem is one of Kuwait’s pioneering neighborhoods recognized for community-led environmental and public health programs.
