The REBİN Team, consisting of graduates from Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU), placed 10th in Türkiye at the TEKNOFEST 2026 Zero Waste and Circular Economy Competition with their AI-powered smart waste management project. Bringing together different engineering disciplines with a focus on sustainability, the project stood out as one of the tangible outcomes of IGU’s multidisciplinary educational approach and technology-focused academic expertise. In the TEKNOFEST 2026 Zero Waste and Circular Economy Competition, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye Istanbul Gelişim University graduates achieved a significant success. The REBİN Team, which combines artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies with sustainable waste management, successfully represented IGU by placing 10th in Türkiye following the final evaluations.
IGU’s Multidisciplinary Educational Approach Has Evolved into an Innovative Project
The REBIN Team consists of IGU graduates Süleyman Emre Aytaç, Ahmet Hakan Yıldırım, and Emirhan Akkaya, who completed a double major program in the fields of Mechatronics, Software, and Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering at Istanbul Gelişim University.
Developed with the academic support of Kenan Şentürk and Serkan Gönen, the project was brought to life by bringing together the knowledge and skills acquired from different engineering disciplines toward a common goal.
By combining the expertise of mechatronics engineering in automation and hardware with the knowledge base of software and computer engineering in artificial intelligence and digital systems, REBİN serves as an example of how IGU’s educational philosophy, which supports interdisciplinary learning, has been transformed into an innovative technology project.
Opportunity to Study in Different Disciplines
The double major program offered by Istanbul Gelişim University allows students to develop their interdisciplinary knowledge and skills by studying in a different academic field in addition to their major.
The fact that members of the REBIN Team bring together their diverse areas of expertise in Mechatronics, Software, and Computer Engineering during the project development process demonstrates how this educational approach translates into technology- and innovation-focused work.
AI-Powered Smart Waste Management for the Sustainable Cities of the Future
REBIN, which aims to support environmental sustainability through technological innovation, is transforming traditional waste collection and sorting processes into a digital ecosystem. Comprising three core components that work in tandem, the project offers a comprehensive solution ranging from individual recycling habits to municipal waste management processes.
The Smart Waste Bin (Rebin) uses cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence technologies to automatically identify waste by type and direct it to the appropriate compartments. The goal is to reduce incorrect sorting rates and increase efficiency in recycling processes.
The Mobile App (Rebin-Mobile) allows users to find the nearest recycling points, register their waste in the system, and earn rewards for their recycling activities. This system aims to encourage individuals’ active participation in recycling processes and promote a “zero waste” mindset.
The Management Dashboard (Rebin-Web), on the other hand, enables municipalities and institutions to monitor the fill levels of smart waste bins, track waste collection processes, and perform optimized route planning. The goal is to conduct waste collection processes more effectively and optimize resource usage through a data-driven management approach.
Technological Contributions to the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
REBİN does not limit waste management to mere collection and sorting processes; instead, it addresses all stages of recycling within an interconnected digital framework. With its AI-powered sorting technology, a mobile app that encourages user participation, and a management dashboard for organizations, the project presents an integrated model capable of contributing to the development of sustainable cities.
With goals such as reducing incorrect waste sorting rates, reintroducing recyclable materials into the economy, and using resources more efficiently in waste collection processes, REBIN establishes a strong link between environmental sustainability and technological transformation.
While the project aims to increase individual participation in recycling processes, it also offers a digital waste management approach that can be considered within the scope of smart city applications for municipalities and institutions.
The Success of IGU Graduates Reflects the University’s Vision for Technology and Sustainability
The REBİN Team, which placed 10th in Türkiye at TEKNOFEST 2026, demonstrated that the academic knowledge and interdisciplinary work experience gained at Istanbul Gelişim University can be transformed into innovative solutions to social and environmental problems.
Aiming to prepare its students for the future not only with professional knowledge but also with skills in research, development, innovative thinking, and problem-solving, Istanbul Gelişim University continues to support projects that contribute to technology production and sustainable development through its educational approach that brings together different engineering disciplines.
The award won by the REBIN project—developed by IGU graduates—at TEKNOFEST 2026 serves as a significant example of how the university’s academic expertise continues to translate into innovative projects and socially beneficial initiatives even after graduation.
