From Scrap Trading to Modern Recycling Miracle: Kemal Kurt’s Inspirational Journey
From Scrap Trading to Modern Recycling Miracle: Kemal Kurt’s Inspirational Journey
July 30, 2024 | Sedanur Albaş
Operating in Gaziantep since 2011, Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm holds a significant place in the recycling industry. The founder, Kemal Kurt, has successfully transformed the scrap trading business he has been involved in since childhood into a larger purpose. Taking over the profession from his father and uncle, Kurt established Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm by turning it into a modern recycling business that contributes to the environment.
Kemal Kurt’s story is an inspiring journey of an old scrap trader establishing a modern recycling company. Kurt says, “I used to travel around villages with my truck, collecting scrap.” After starting in the PVC scrap business, he decided to establish his own company, encouraged by his friends. This bold step was his first significant move towards founding Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm. Initially starting in a small workplace, Kurt gradually expanded his business. “We used to buy scrap from small tradesmen. As we grew, we started collecting waste from larger companies,” he explains.
Today, Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm collects various waste materials such as plastic bottles, bags, sacks, cardboard, books, and glass fragments. The waste is meticulously sorted, packed in compression machines, and then sent to recycling companies in Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, and Adana. Kurt also collaborates with the Gaziantep Environmentalists Recycling Association to contribute to the reuse of plastic waste.
Kemal Bey’s commitment to the sector and his business grows stronger every day. As an experienced professional who has spent many years in the industry, he not only focuses on his success, but also closely observes the challenges faced by the entire sector and its workers. These observations have instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility. To mitigate these challenges and enhance the production quality of the sector, he has conceived a project. This project aims to address the problems of the sector and its workers and is designed to benefit not only the companies in the industry but also the environment significantly.
Kemal Bey wholeheartedly believes that this project will set an example for the people of Nizip and the other 81 provinces of Turkey. “If our project comes to life, it will have a substantial contribution to both the sector and the environment,” he says. With these hopeful words, he aims not only for his success, but also to lead the entire industry towards a better future.
Like any success story, Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm has faced its challenges. One of the biggest challenges was the fire at their workplace last year. “This incident put us in a financial bind. We had difficulties with employee payments and material procurement,” says Kurt. Despite all these challenges, they rebuilt their workplace and continued their operations.
Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm processes an average of 300 tons of cardboard, 30 tons of PET, 65 tons of iron, and 500–600 kilos of aluminum waste monthly. However, to increase production capacity and process more waste, they need machinery and financial support. “The machines we currently use are old and need to be renewed. We plan to make new machine investments in the near future,” Kurt explains. With these investments, they aim to increase their daily production capacity and recycle more waste materials.
Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm views Building Markets’ Sustainable Marketplace project as a significant opportunity. “I find the Building Markets’ project highly successful. It provides great service to both companies and the environment,” says Kurt. At the first recycling matchmaking event held at the Gaziantep office, Kurt engaged with the speakers and felt confident that the project would greatly benefit his company. Although Kemal Kurt had the chance to connect with other companies in the recycling sector, he has been unable to secure new deals due to the outdated machinery and low production capacity of his facility.
The story of Esmeray Geri Dönüşüm is an inspiring example of steps taken with determination and perseverance to contribute to the environment. Under Kemal Kurt’s leadership, the company holds a significant place in the recycling sector. His efforts will not only ease the lives of the workers but also make the sector more efficient and sustainable. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to contribute to the environment and the economy. They are determined to work towards leaving a cleaner world for future generations.
