A Zero-Waste Life,
Built Together.
A hobby cooperative where families and children learn, plant, repair, and grow, one habit at a time.
Discover the SpaceA Place to Learn, Grow, and Belong
From the foundations of an NGO to a working neighborhood cooperative. Here's what we're building, and why.
Our Story
Founded by Hayaller Gerçek Olsun Derneği, the NGO behind Türkiye's first ecological primary school in earthquake-affected Hatay, and the robotic coding studio at Beşiktaş BİLSEM. The Zero Waste Cooperative is our next step: bringing sustainable living out of the classroom and into everyday family life.
Our Space
Set in Kadıköy, ZWC is part workshop, part garden, part neighborhood living room. Children plant trees, harvest fruit, compost kitchen scraps, repair toys and bicycles, and learn basic sewing, all guided by experienced educators in a space designed to make sustainability tangible.
Our Approach
Awareness alone doesn't change behavior. ZWC is built on the idea that sustainable choices stick when they're easy, social, and rewarding. We design experiences that lower the effort, build community, and turn one Saturday visit into a lifetime habit.
Workshops & Experiences
Every weekend, our space comes alive with hands-on activities families can join, repeat, and take home with them.
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01
Planting & HarvestingHands-on time in our garden: sowing seeds, caring for trees, and picking what you grew.
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02
Composting LabTurn kitchen scraps into soil. A weekend session families can replicate at home.
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03
Repair CaféFix toys, bikes, and small household items instead of replacing them.
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04
Textile Reuse & SewingGive old clothes a second life through basic stitching and upcycling.
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05
Zero-Waste KitchenSimple recipes and habits to cut household food waste.
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06
Family Zero-Waste KitsTake-home toolkits with sorting guides, reusable containers, and activity cards for kids.
Spend a Saturday With Your Child.
Our weekend workshops are open to all families in Kadıköy. No membership required. Just bring curiosity.
See This Month's ScheduleInside the Cooperative
A look at the spaces, gardens, and workshops where it all happens.
Site Overview
Sorting Station
Workshop Plan
Architecture
Compost Lab
Stories From the Cooperative
What Is Zero Waste, Really? A Family-Friendly Starting Point
A simple guide to what zero waste means in everyday life, and where to start as a family without feeling overwhelmed.
Continue Reading5 Ways to Compost at Home With Kids
Composting doesn't need a backyard. Five approaches that work in apartments, small balconies, and shared kitchens.
Continue ReadingLessons From Kadıköy's Zero-Waste Streets
What we learned from the neighborhood's pioneering recycling initiative, and how it shaped the cooperative's design.
Continue ReadingFrequently Asked Questions
Reach out if you can't find the answer you're looking for.
Most weekend workshops are free of charge. Some specialty sessions (e.g., advanced sewing or repair clinics) may have a small contribution to cover materials. We always announce this in advance.
Most activities are designed for children aged 5 to 12, joined by a parent or guardian. Younger siblings are welcome in family sessions.
Yes. Workshop spots are limited. You can reserve through the schedule page or by contacting us directly. Walk-ins are welcome for the open garden hours.
Absolutely. We welcome volunteers for gardening, workshop assistance, and event support. Reach out via the contact form to get involved.
Kits are given to families who attend our introductory workshops, free of charge. Additional kits can be requested for schools and community groups.
Our address and weekend hours are listed in the contact section below. We're easily reachable by metro and ferry, and yes, there's bicycle parking.
Better yet, come visit.
We love meeting families in person. Drop by during weekend hours, take a tour, and stay for a workshop.
A project of Hayaller Gerçek Olsun Derneği