Our oceans, forests, and atmosphere are under unprecedented strain. If this trajectory continues, future generations will not experience these wonders firsthand; they will know them only through books and stories.
What kind of world do we want to leave behind?
This is a future we must firmly reject. At our current pace, the truth is undeniable: unless we change course, our children may inherit little more than memories of oceans, forests, and clean air, rather than the opportunity to experience them directly.
Each year, the world generates approximately 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste, yet less than one-fifth of this is recycled. In 2022 alone, plastic production reached 506 million tonnes, while the global recycling rate remained stagnant at just 9%. The remainder does not simply vanish; nearly 11 million tonnes of new plastic enter our oceans annually. Today, an estimated 200 million tonnes already float at sea, breaking down into microplastics that infiltrate the air we breathe, the food we consume, and the water we drink—posing an escalating threat to all forms of life. The research is sobering: a study of 62 human placentas revealed microplastic traces in every single sample. Similar findings have emerged from studies of commercial fish, 75% of which contained microplastic particles.
Perhaps the starkest evidence comes from marine bird populations: it is estimated that one million seabirds die each year as a direct result of plastic pollution. These figures are not abstract statistics; they serve as urgent reminders that plastic has already entered our bodies, our food chain, and the fragile ecosystems on which we depend. Humanity’s footprint is not confined to Earth itself. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have consumed vast natural resources to build modern cities, industries, and lifestyles, and we have also extended our reach into outer space.
Yet the situation beyond our planet is equally concerning. According to the European Space Agency’s 2025 report, nearly 40,000 objects are currently tracked in Earth’s orbit, but only about 11,000 are active satellites. The remaining 29,000 are classified as debris. Since 1957, more than 600 satellite and rocket break-ups have been recorded, each leaving countless fragments that now crowd Earth’s orbit with hazardous space debris. Faced with these realities, we recognized the need for action. This necessity led to the creation of Cycleit, a social enterprise app built on a straightforward principle: recycle more, earn more. Our goal is to make recycling a daily habit by transforming it into an experience that is both engaging and rewarding.
Here’s how it works: when users deposit their plastic, glass, or paper waste into a recycling bin, they record a short video through the app. Based on the material, they earn CycleCoins, which can be redeemed in the Cycle Market for coupons, gifts, event tickets, and more from partner companies. With its gamified features, attractive rewards, and friendly competition, Cycleit motivates individuals to recycle not merely out of obligation but with genuine enthusiasm. For companies, Cycleit is more than just an app; it is a data-driven platform that delivers valuable insights into consumer recycling behavior and serves as a powerful tool for advancing sustainability strategies. As a woman engineer and entrepreneur, receiving a grant from TÜBİTAK for this project was a moment of profound pride—one that renewed my hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
While we may not be able to prevent all waste from being generated, we can transform it. We may not fully eliminate household waste, yet we can convert it into energy through biogas facilities. We may not stop plastic production entirely, yet we can recycle it into construction materials. We may not make paint and solvent residues vanish, yet with proper collection and refinement, they can be reused as valuable chemicals. We have only one planet, and its future depends on our choices. Awareness alone is insufficient. As women engineers in STEM, we can confront the environmental crisis by transforming waste into resources through innovative solutions. Every recycling action captured on Cycleit becomes a tangible step—where engineering ingenuity meets sustainability—in designing a future filled with hope.
The time to act boldly is now—not tomorrow, but today. Let us leave our children not an unlivable world but one they can truly cherish. Join the circular economy. And remember that even the smallest step can make a profound difference. Together, by embracing the principle "Recycle more, earn more," we can protect both our planet and the generations to come.