Türkiye’s new deposit system to recycle 25B packages, save $611M

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Ozhaseki announced plans to launch a national deposit system by mid-2025, aiming to complete the minimum required machinery and infrastructure installations.

During the Türkiye Century Environmental Projects Media Meeting held at the ministry’s conference hall, Ozhaseki provided detailed information about the Deposit Management System.

Ozhaseki highlighted that the annual number of plastic and glass bottles used, ranging from 0.1 to 3 liters, reaches 20 billion.

This system will work as follows: Citizens will bring their bottles, aluminum, and PET containers to designated locations, where they will first be identified and then inserted into the machine. The value will be credited directly to their e-wallet via their phone

Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mehmet Ozhaseki

Future goals

Our goal is to complete the necessary machinery and infrastructure by mid-2025 and initiate the national deposit system. This year, we plan to establish 2,000 collection points, reaching 5,000 by 2025. Within three years, by 2028, we aim to reach 30,000 points

Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mehmet Ozhaseki

Ozhaseki noted that the system would be implemented in collaboration with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and trade associations, placing machines in high-traffic areas such as universities, in front of municipalities, supermarkets over 400 square meters, shopping malls, public parks, hotels, and restaurants.

We aim to integrate all recyclable products into the economy, create new employment opportunities in the private sector, and contribute to production by ensuring sustainability in the circular economy. This can be seen as a continuation of the Zero Waste Project

Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mehmet Ozhaseki

What is new deposit system?

Launch date:

• The comprehensive application of the Deposit Management System (DYS) will start at the beginning of the year.
• The goal is to complete the necessary machinery and infrastructure by mid-2025 and fully operationalize the system.

Economic impact:

• Expected to generate 529 million euros ($567.11 million) in economic gain.
• Aims to save ₺20 billion ($610.91 million) initially by recycling nearly 25 billion packages.

Collection points:

• By the end of 2024, 2,000 Deposit Return Machines and authorized Collection (Return) Points will be established.
• By 2025, the number of return points is expected to reach 350,000.

Operation:

• The system will work by having citizens bring their bottles, aluminum, and PET containers to designated locations, where they will be identified and inserted into machines.
• The deposit value will be credited directly to their e-wallet via their phone, or through a receipt system for those who prefer not to use phones.

• Collection points planned: 2,000 by the end of 2024, 5,000 by 2025, and 30,000 by 2028.
• Collaboration with TOBB and trade associations.
• Placement of machines in high-traffic areas.

Consumer benefits:

• Consumers can use their earnings from returned packages for shopping at designated stores.
• In Türkiye, the expected deposit fee is ₺2, with a temporary refund of 25 kurus per returned package until the mandatory deposit system starts in early 2025.

Implementation and security:

• Packages will be released to the market according to criteria set by the Turkish Environmental Agency (TUCA).
• Initially, beverage containers will be included.
• Authorized firms will apply the DYS mark to packaging using special security inks and printing techniques.

Participation:

• Most packaging manufacturers are already registered in the system.
• Manufacturers will pay the deposit fee for each product they release to the market to TUCA.
• Consumers will use the refund amount to purchase products at designated sales points.

Recycling process:

• Packaging will be stored at collection centers and then delivered to recycling facilities by packaging carriers authorized by TUCA.