The Circular Makerspace turns waste into wonder in Istanbul

The Circular Makerspace turns waste into wonder in Istanbul

In a repurposed warehouse in Istanbul, creativity meets sustainability in the most inspiring way. The Circular Makerspace, born from the EU-funded Pop-Machina project, has transformed an idle space into a vibrant hub where waste is no longer discarded but reimagined as raw material for innovation.

"The Pop-Machina project is about creating production spaces based on a community approach to promote the circular economy," explains Prof Dr Ayşen Erdinçler, Head of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Environmental Protection and Control Department. "Our Circular Makerspace (Döngüsel İşler Atölyesi-DİA) serves this purpose, treating waste not as garbage but as valuable raw material. And the fact that it's deeply integrated into the vulnerable groups such as women, students, and the unemployed, makes it even more effective."

Prof Dr Ayşen Erdinçler, Head of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Environmental Protection and Control Department

Since its inception in 2021, DİA has engaged over 50,000 people through workshops, events, and training sessions, according to Elif Muhammed, an environmental engineer at the Environmental Protection and Control Department.

Elif Muhammed, environmental engineer

For many participants, the DİA has become more than just a creative outlet-it's a place to learn, collaborate, and grow. Industrial design student Hilal Özür recalls how the space became essential for a school project. "We were given the task of building an automaton with moving parts, inspired by a film. We weren't sure how to start, so we booked time here," she shares. "The variety of machines available really helped us, especially since using similar equipment elsewhere would have been costly."

Industrial design students Farnaz Abbas Nejat, Hazal Çelik and Hilal Özür

A student of industrial design, Hazal Çelik, says: "I chose Dead Poets Society. Using the waste materials here, I built an automaton representing themes from the movie-the oppressive hand of societal pressure, Neal's iconic hat, and a torch symbolising Mr. Keating's guidance. When the torch lights up, the societal pressure lifts. It was good to bring that to life with waste materials."

All the items, including the building, were made from recycled materials

Farnaz Abbas Nejat, another industrial design student, used a computer-based design programme to plan her project based on her chosen film, Corpse Bride. "I started by sketching on AutoCAD at home, then came here for the final touches and laser cutting," she explains. "Having access to professional equipment made my work easier."

Veli Arslan, interior designer, with the coffee table he made from waste materials as part of the Pop-Machina project

Empowering Sustainable Businesses

DİA isn't just for students. It also supports budding entrepreneurs like Veli Arslan, an interior designer. "I created a four-piece furniture collection from waste materials-this side table here, a stool, a bench, and a coat rack. My approach was to design based on the materials I found, not the other way around. The materials here form what I call a 'waste material library', offering nearly everything a designer might need."

Hanife Ersoy, an entrepreneur and beneficiary of the project

Hanife Ersoy, an entrepreneur and beneficiary of the project, found her calling here. "I started designing gift packages using natural materials," she says. "A friend introduced me to DİA, and I immediately loved its purpose-it aligned perfectly with my values. Through the EU-supported Pop-Machina project, I learned about circular businesses and how to sustain them. It was an excellent experience."

Ferhat Erbaş, an environmental engineer and coordinator of DİA, with the beneficiaries

Ferhat Erbaş, an environmental engineer and coordinator of DİA, says: "Anyone interested in using our space can apply through our Instagram page. We look for two main criteria: a project idea and whether it's made from waste material."

The Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas

The Acting Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas, underlines the importance of such projects: "The EU is proud to support initiatives like DİA, which bring the principles of the circular economy to life. This project not only promotes sustainable production and waste reduction but also empowers individuals-especially students, entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups-to turn ideas into tangible solutions. It's a testament to how EU-Türkiye cooperation can drive positive change for both people and the planet."

A working office with recycled materials under the project

A Global Network for Local Impact

Under the Pop-Machina, DİA is part of a larger network spanning seven cities across six countries, including Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Lithuania and Türkiye. "This network has created a collaborative ecosystem where members can share experiences, upload training materials and learn from each other," Prof Dr Erdinçler explains.

The impact of this initiative extends beyond product creation-it's about fostering a culture of sustainability. As Prof Dr Erdinçler put it, "With global waste contributing up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, projects like these are crucial. We're not just reducing waste; we're raising awareness and empowering individuals to be part of the solution."

The EU's Horizon 2020, which provided funds for research and innovation, supported Pop-Machina, helping it to strengthen the connection between the maker movement and the circular economy. The pilot cities of a 48-month project with 23 partners were Istanbul-Türkiye, Santander-Spain, Venlo-Netherlands, Thessaloniki-Greece, Piraeus-Greece, Lueven-Belgium, Kaunas-Lithuania. Horizon 2020 was succeeded by Horizon Europe.

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