çöp(m)adam

We are pleased to introduce a new addition to the Istanbul, Turkey and Ephesus tour in 2025, with a visit to the social project, çöp(m)adam.

çöp(m)adam is a social project that seeks to address the issues of women’s unemployment and highlights the importance of recycling and reusing materials.

The project was set up by a group of Turkish women who produce one-of a kind accessories from their workshop or their home, using waste materials to create unique and fashionable items.

When travellers visit this project, as well as watching these talented women at work, they can purchase these one-of-a-kind creations, which directly supports the women who work there. Your visit plays a huge part in helping to break the cycle of poverty. 

The impact of tourism

With what started as an experimental project in western Turkey, through working with Planeterra and Just You Cares, çöp(m)adam has gained access to a customer market which has: 

• Helped generate regular employment, with 10 women  employed - each time a traveller visits the workshop and purchases their products, they directly benefit.
• Benefitted a further 40 members of the community indirectly
• Raised awareness of the importance of recycling/reusing items