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The Role of Social Media in the Transition from a Sustainable Environment to Decent Work: The Case of Street Collectors in Turkey

Yıl 2022, Sayı: 39, 104 - 119, 29.04.2022
https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1019638

Öz

Recycling practices, which are an indispensable part of the sustainable development model in developing
countries within the scope of combating climate change, brought the issue of waste collection and street
collection to the agenda. In developing countries like Turkey, where source separation is impossible, street
collection has become a vital participant in the recycling market. This research examines the impacts of the
economic worth of recyclable wastes on the social status of street collectors and their transfer to a decent
work environment, as well as the function of the media in this transition. After reviewing the literature
and legislation, this article applies content analysis on the relevant social media posts between the date
of October 3, 2021, when the local governments in Istanbul made a police raid on street collectors, and
October 30, 2021, when the street collectors issue was on the agenda. As a consequence of the increased
social and environmental awareness caused by climate change on a global scale, the legislative arrangements
made at the national level have enabled the waste to gain economic value. The organized street collectors’
defence of their rights and public announcement of their grievances through their representatives under
the pressure of local governments had a societal impact on social media and entered into politicians’ and
government’s agendas. Accordingly, in the past, perceptions of street collectors as “dirty”, “criminal”, and
“poor” all of which were directly related with poverty in society, have been replaced by perceptions of
“environmental protection”, “worker who earns their bread” and “zero waste stakeholder”. The analysis
shows that 79% of Twitter user shares support street collectors and view the police raid negatively. On the
other hand, only 2% of the users see the police raid as necessary for “maintaining public order”. As a result,
sustainable environmental policies carried out within the scope of combating climate change have improved the economic situation of street collectors, positively affecting their organization and the improvement of
decent work environments. These developments have affected street collectors to increase their visibility in
the media and change their social perceptions positively.

Kaynakça

  • Acar, H. & Baykara Acar, Y. (2008). Ants of the capital waste material workers. Ankara: Maya Academy.
  • Aksoy, S. (2010). Presentation of poverty in Turkish print media. Journal of Yaşar University, 19(5), 3221 – 3236. Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, D. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2014). Qualitative Research. Methods of Scientific Research (p. 240-275). Ankara: Pegem Academy.
  • Clawson, A.R. & Trice, R. (2000). Poverty as we know it: Media portrayals of the poor. The public opinion quarterly, 64, 53-64.
  • Çetinkaya, E. & Yıldırımalp, S. (2012). The situation of women in the Turkish labor market in the context of decent work. Bilgi Journal, 24, Summer, 153 – 172.
  • Demir, A. (1995). Recycling of waste paper and its net contribution to the national economy. Journal of Ecology and Environment, 15, 59-68.
  • Dias, G. F. L. S. de Mendonca, e. M. P. Teodisto, S. S. A. & Santos, L. C. M. (2012). Identity Field and the Economy of Waste Pickers: An Analysis of the Waste Pickers’ Movements in Brazil. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Submission No.14843, Boston: MA.
  • Dinler, Ş. D. (2014). Essays on the worker’s existence problem, masculinity and emotions. İstanbul: Metis Publications.
  • Erdoğan, Z. (2021). Overview of policies and challenges: Syrians in Turkey transitioning from temporary to permanent status. In M. S. Bilgin, B. Bınarcı, & G. Yılmaz (Eds.), Contemporary analysis on Syrian immigration issue in
  • Europe and Turkey: Educational, political and legal practices (pp. 187–209). Ankara: Akçağ.
  • Erdut, Z. (2003). International social policy and Turkey in the context of globalization (2th ed.). Izmir: Dokuz Eylül Publications.
  • Esen M. & Korkmaz, M. (October 4, 2021). A raid on paper collectors in Ümraniye caused a stir. DHA. Retrieved November 11, 2021 from https://www.dha.com.tr/istanbul/umraniyede-kagit-toplayicilarina-yapilanbaskinda- ortalik-karisti/haber-1852029.
  • Eunomia. (2017). Recycling who really leads the World. Retrieved December 11, 2021 from https://www. eunomia.co.uk/reports-tools/recycling-who-really-leads-the-world/.
  • Gunn, P. & Ostos, Z. (1992). Dilemmas in tackling child labor: The case of scavenger children in the Philippines, International Labor Review, 131(6), 629-646.
  • ILO. (1999). Report of the director general: Decent work (87th Session). Geneva.
  • ILO. (2004). Addressing the exploitation of children in Scavenging in Latin America: A Thematic Evaluation of Action on Child Labor (A Synthesis Report on Latin America). Geneva.
  • Işığıçok, Ö. (2009). Decent work in the process of globalization. Journal of Social Policy Conferences, 56, 307-331.
  • Karabıçak, M. & Özdemir Müge, B. (2015). Conceptual foundations of sustainable development. Süleyman Demirel University Vizyoner Journal, 6(13), 44-49.
  • Khan, E., & Kaya, A. (2008). Theory and policy (6th ed.). Ankara: Nobel Publication Distribution.
  • Kılıçdaroğlu visited the waste collectors. (October 9, 2021). TRT. Retrieved September 11, 2021 from https://www. trthaber.com/haber/gundem/kilicdaroglu-istanbuldaki-atik-toplayicilari-ziyaret-etti-615557.html.
  • McKendrick, J., Sinclair, P., Hugh, A.I., Scott, G., & Dobbie, L. (2008). The media, poverty and public opinion in the UK. UK: London Press.
  • Medina, M. (1997). Informal recycling and collection of solid wastes in developing countries: issues and opportunities. The United Nations University/Institute of Advanced Studies, Working Paper No.24, Tokyo.
  • Medina, M. (2007). The world’s scavengers salvaging for sustainable consumption and production. UK, Plymouth: Altamira Press.
  • Neuman, W. L. (2010). Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (4th ed.). (S. Özge, Trans.) Istanbul: Yayınodası Press.
  • Minister Murat Kurum: Our waste collector brothers are the unsung heroes of our zero-waste project. (October 9, 2021). Habertürk. Retrieved September 10, 2021 from https://www.haberturk.com/bakan-muratkurum- atik-toplayici-kardeslerimiz-sifir-atik-projemizin-isimsiz-kahramanlaridir-3216833.
  • Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change & Ministry of Interior. (2020) The final report of the field research on street collectors. Ankara.
  • Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate, Waste Management, (2022). https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/atikyonetimi- i-450.
  • Official Gazette. (09.10.2021). The decision to amend the waste regulation. Retrieved December 1, 2021 from https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2021/10/20211009-4.htm.
  • Özgen, H. N. (2001). New poverty and garbage collectors in the city. Society and Science, 89, 88-101.
  • Özmen, E., Karaman, E., & Alkış, N. (2021). Digital business and user experience: A qualitative research. Journal of Business Studies, 13(3), 2759-2779.
  • Özsoy, Duygu. (2012). The problem of new urban poverty, waste collectors and representation: A review on the Atık magazine. Journal of Istanbul University Faculty of Communication, II(43),105-121.
  • Scheinberg, A. (2012). Informal sector integration and high-performance recycling: Evidence from 20 cities. WIEGO Working Paper No.23, Manchester.
  • Schneck, C. Blaauw, D. & Viljoen, K. (2012). Unrecognized waste management: Challenges and opportunities for small business development and decent job creation in the waste sector in the free state. Geneva: ILO Publications.
  • Support for waste collectors from the First Lady Emine Erdoğan. (October 27, 2021). Retrieved September 1, 2021 from https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/emine-erdogandan-atik-toplayicilarina-destek-41926157.
  • Theron, J. (2010). Options for organizing waste pickers in South Africa. WIEGO Organizing Brief No. 3, Manchester.
  • TİSK. (2003). The IOE opinion on decent work. İşveren Journal Supplement.
  • Turan, A. & Güler, M. (2013). Sustainable environmental policies in Turkey: An Example of climate change”, International Conference on Eurasian Economics, Session 4D: Environmental ss. 953-960. Retrieved December 1, 2021 from https://www.avekon.org/papers/603.pdf.
  • UN. (2012). United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20. https://sustainabledevelopment. un.org/rio20.
  • UN. (1987). World Commission on Environment and Development. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/ milestones/wced.
  • Vural, A. (2021). Paper and solid waste collectors’ public perception Istanbul survey. Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • We give the wastes that we sort in our central building of the Ministry to the licensed waste collection workers. (October 26, 2021). İHA. Retrieved September 5, 2021 from https://www.iha.com.tr/haber-bakankurum- bakanlik-merkez-binamizda-ayristirdigimiz-atiklari-lisansli-atik-toplayici-kardeslerimizeveriyoruz- 989405/.
  • World Economic Forum. (2017). https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/12/germany-recycles-more-thanany- other-country.
  • 2 million tons of waste were brought into the economy. (September 26, 2021). Hürriyet. Retrieved September 7, 2021 from https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/24-2-milyon-ton-atik-ekonomiyekazandirildi- 41903201.

Sürdürülebilir Çevreden İnsana Yakışır İşe Doğru Geçişte Sosyal Medyanın Rolü: Türkiye’de Sokak Toplayıcılar Örneği

Yıl 2022, Sayı: 39, 104 - 119, 29.04.2022
https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1019638

Öz

İklim değişikliği ile mücadele kapsamında gelişmekte olan ülkelerde, sürdürülebilir kalkınma modelinin
olmazsa olmazı olarak yürütülen geri dönüşüm uygulamaları, atık toplama ve sokak toplayıcılığı konusunu
gündeme taşımıştır. Kaynağından ayrıştırmanın yapılamadığı Türkiye gibi gelişmekte olan ülkelerde,
sokak toplayıcılığı geri dönüşüm sektörünün kilit aktörü haline gelmiştir. Bu araştırmada, geri dönüşebilen
atıkların ekonomik değer kazanmasının, sokak toplayıcılarının, toplumsal statüsünü ve insana yakışır iş
ortamına geçişlerini nasıl etkilediği ve aynı zamanda bu değişimde medyanın fonksiyonu sorgulanmaktadır.
Makalede literatür ve mevzuat taramasından sonra İstanbul’da yerel yönetimlerin, sokak toplayıcılarına
yönelik polis baskını yaptığı 3 Ekim 2021 tarihinden, konunun gündemde kaldığı 30 Ekim 2021 tarihleri
arasındaki ilgili sosyal medya paylaşımlarına içerik analizi uygulanmıştır. Sonuçta, iklim değişikliğine
bağlı küresel ölçekte toplumsal çevre farkındalığının artması ile birlikte ulusal düzeyde yapılan mevzuat
düzenlemeleri, atıkların ekonomik değer kazanması sağlamıştır. Örgütlenen sokak toplayıcılarının, yerel
yönetimlerin baskısında seçtikleri temsilcileri aracılığıyla haklarını savunmaları ve mağduriyetlerini
kamuya duyurmaları, sosyal medyada toplumsal olarak ses getirmiş, ayrıca konu siyasilerin ve iktidarın da
gündemine girmiştir. Buna bağlı olarak geçmişte, toplumda, yoksullukla doğrudan ilişkilendirilen sokak
toplayıcılarına ilişkin ‘kirli’, ‘suçlu’, ‘yoksul’ algısının yerini ‘çevreyi koruyan’, ‘ekmeğini kazanan emekçi’ ‘sıfır
atık paydaşı’ algısı almıştır. Analiz, sosyal medya mecrası olan Twitter kullanıcılarının, sokak toplayıcılarını
destekleyen ve polis baskınını olumsuz gören paylaşımlarının oranının yüzde 79 olduğunu göstermektedir.
Diğer taraftan, polis baskınını ‘kamusal düzenin sağlanması’ için gerekli gören kullanıcıların oranı ise
sadece yüzde 2’dir. Sonuç olarak iklim değişikliği ile mücadele kapsamında yürütülen sürdürülebilir çevre
politikaları, sokak toplayıcılarının ekonomik durumunu iyileştirerek, örgütlenmelerini ve insana yakışır
iş ortamlarının iyileşmesini olumlu yönde etkilemiştir. Bu gelişmeler, sokak toplayıcılarının medyada
görünürlükleri artırmasını ve toplumsal algılarını pozitif yönde değişmesini etkilemiştir.

Kaynakça

  • Acar, H. & Baykara Acar, Y. (2008). Ants of the capital waste material workers. Ankara: Maya Academy.
  • Aksoy, S. (2010). Presentation of poverty in Turkish print media. Journal of Yaşar University, 19(5), 3221 – 3236. Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, D. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2014). Qualitative Research. Methods of Scientific Research (p. 240-275). Ankara: Pegem Academy.
  • Clawson, A.R. & Trice, R. (2000). Poverty as we know it: Media portrayals of the poor. The public opinion quarterly, 64, 53-64.
  • Çetinkaya, E. & Yıldırımalp, S. (2012). The situation of women in the Turkish labor market in the context of decent work. Bilgi Journal, 24, Summer, 153 – 172.
  • Demir, A. (1995). Recycling of waste paper and its net contribution to the national economy. Journal of Ecology and Environment, 15, 59-68.
  • Dias, G. F. L. S. de Mendonca, e. M. P. Teodisto, S. S. A. & Santos, L. C. M. (2012). Identity Field and the Economy of Waste Pickers: An Analysis of the Waste Pickers’ Movements in Brazil. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Submission No.14843, Boston: MA.
  • Dinler, Ş. D. (2014). Essays on the worker’s existence problem, masculinity and emotions. İstanbul: Metis Publications.
  • Erdoğan, Z. (2021). Overview of policies and challenges: Syrians in Turkey transitioning from temporary to permanent status. In M. S. Bilgin, B. Bınarcı, & G. Yılmaz (Eds.), Contemporary analysis on Syrian immigration issue in
  • Europe and Turkey: Educational, political and legal practices (pp. 187–209). Ankara: Akçağ.
  • Erdut, Z. (2003). International social policy and Turkey in the context of globalization (2th ed.). Izmir: Dokuz Eylül Publications.
  • Esen M. & Korkmaz, M. (October 4, 2021). A raid on paper collectors in Ümraniye caused a stir. DHA. Retrieved November 11, 2021 from https://www.dha.com.tr/istanbul/umraniyede-kagit-toplayicilarina-yapilanbaskinda- ortalik-karisti/haber-1852029.
  • Eunomia. (2017). Recycling who really leads the World. Retrieved December 11, 2021 from https://www. eunomia.co.uk/reports-tools/recycling-who-really-leads-the-world/.
  • Gunn, P. & Ostos, Z. (1992). Dilemmas in tackling child labor: The case of scavenger children in the Philippines, International Labor Review, 131(6), 629-646.
  • ILO. (1999). Report of the director general: Decent work (87th Session). Geneva.
  • ILO. (2004). Addressing the exploitation of children in Scavenging in Latin America: A Thematic Evaluation of Action on Child Labor (A Synthesis Report on Latin America). Geneva.
  • Işığıçok, Ö. (2009). Decent work in the process of globalization. Journal of Social Policy Conferences, 56, 307-331.
  • Karabıçak, M. & Özdemir Müge, B. (2015). Conceptual foundations of sustainable development. Süleyman Demirel University Vizyoner Journal, 6(13), 44-49.
  • Khan, E., & Kaya, A. (2008). Theory and policy (6th ed.). Ankara: Nobel Publication Distribution.
  • Kılıçdaroğlu visited the waste collectors. (October 9, 2021). TRT. Retrieved September 11, 2021 from https://www. trthaber.com/haber/gundem/kilicdaroglu-istanbuldaki-atik-toplayicilari-ziyaret-etti-615557.html.
  • McKendrick, J., Sinclair, P., Hugh, A.I., Scott, G., & Dobbie, L. (2008). The media, poverty and public opinion in the UK. UK: London Press.
  • Medina, M. (1997). Informal recycling and collection of solid wastes in developing countries: issues and opportunities. The United Nations University/Institute of Advanced Studies, Working Paper No.24, Tokyo.
  • Medina, M. (2007). The world’s scavengers salvaging for sustainable consumption and production. UK, Plymouth: Altamira Press.
  • Neuman, W. L. (2010). Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (4th ed.). (S. Özge, Trans.) Istanbul: Yayınodası Press.
  • Minister Murat Kurum: Our waste collector brothers are the unsung heroes of our zero-waste project. (October 9, 2021). Habertürk. Retrieved September 10, 2021 from https://www.haberturk.com/bakan-muratkurum- atik-toplayici-kardeslerimiz-sifir-atik-projemizin-isimsiz-kahramanlaridir-3216833.
  • Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change & Ministry of Interior. (2020) The final report of the field research on street collectors. Ankara.
  • Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate, Waste Management, (2022). https://cygm.csb.gov.tr/atikyonetimi- i-450.
  • Official Gazette. (09.10.2021). The decision to amend the waste regulation. Retrieved December 1, 2021 from https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2021/10/20211009-4.htm.
  • Özgen, H. N. (2001). New poverty and garbage collectors in the city. Society and Science, 89, 88-101.
  • Özmen, E., Karaman, E., & Alkış, N. (2021). Digital business and user experience: A qualitative research. Journal of Business Studies, 13(3), 2759-2779.
  • Özsoy, Duygu. (2012). The problem of new urban poverty, waste collectors and representation: A review on the Atık magazine. Journal of Istanbul University Faculty of Communication, II(43),105-121.
  • Scheinberg, A. (2012). Informal sector integration and high-performance recycling: Evidence from 20 cities. WIEGO Working Paper No.23, Manchester.
  • Schneck, C. Blaauw, D. & Viljoen, K. (2012). Unrecognized waste management: Challenges and opportunities for small business development and decent job creation in the waste sector in the free state. Geneva: ILO Publications.
  • Support for waste collectors from the First Lady Emine Erdoğan. (October 27, 2021). Retrieved September 1, 2021 from https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/emine-erdogandan-atik-toplayicilarina-destek-41926157.
  • Theron, J. (2010). Options for organizing waste pickers in South Africa. WIEGO Organizing Brief No. 3, Manchester.
  • TİSK. (2003). The IOE opinion on decent work. İşveren Journal Supplement.
  • Turan, A. & Güler, M. (2013). Sustainable environmental policies in Turkey: An Example of climate change”, International Conference on Eurasian Economics, Session 4D: Environmental ss. 953-960. Retrieved December 1, 2021 from https://www.avekon.org/papers/603.pdf.
  • UN. (2012). United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20. https://sustainabledevelopment. un.org/rio20.
  • UN. (1987). World Commission on Environment and Development. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/ milestones/wced.
  • Vural, A. (2021). Paper and solid waste collectors’ public perception Istanbul survey. Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • We give the wastes that we sort in our central building of the Ministry to the licensed waste collection workers. (October 26, 2021). İHA. Retrieved September 5, 2021 from https://www.iha.com.tr/haber-bakankurum- bakanlik-merkez-binamizda-ayristirdigimiz-atiklari-lisansli-atik-toplayici-kardeslerimizeveriyoruz- 989405/.
  • World Economic Forum. (2017). https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/12/germany-recycles-more-thanany- other-country.
  • 2 million tons of waste were brought into the economy. (September 26, 2021). Hürriyet. Retrieved September 7, 2021 from https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/24-2-milyon-ton-atik-ekonomiyekazandirildi- 41903201.
Toplam 42 adet kaynakça vardır.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil İngilizce
Konular İletişim ve Medya Çalışmaları
Bölüm Araştırma Makaleleri
Yazarlar

Safure Cantürk 0000-0002-5419-3325

Yayımlanma Tarihi 29 Nisan 2022
Gönderilme Tarihi 5 Kasım 2021
Yayımlandığı Sayı Yıl 2022 Sayı: 39

Kaynak Göster

APA Cantürk, S. (2022). The Role of Social Media in the Transition from a Sustainable Environment to Decent Work: The Case of Street Collectors in Turkey. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi(39), 104-119. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1019638

Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi'nde yayımlanan tüm makaleler Creative Commons Atıf-Gayri Ticari 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.