Turkey changes DOA incentive: 1 TL per bottle on machines, 0.5 TL for bulk returns

The Deposit‑Return System (DOA) that began nationwide on 1 July 2026 now applies two separate incentive rates. Individual returns processed through DOA machines continue to receive the original 1 TL per container, but only for up to 200 items per person per day. Returns exceeding that limit must be delivered to the new "Sayma ve Doğrulama" (Counting and Verification) centres, where the incentive is reduced to 0.5 TL per container.

The change aims to handle the rapidly growing volume of recyclable beverage packaging. In the first 17 days of operation, more than 33 million containers were collected and over 2 million citizens registered for the programme, with Istanbul recording the highest return volume. Government officials, including Environment Minister Murat Kurum and TÜÇA President Nurullah Öztürk, said the new centres will speed up high‑volume returns while preserving the 1 TL rate for standard machine returns.

The Dezenformasyonla Mücadele Merkezi (DMM) repeatedly refuted social‑media claims that the 1 TL payment had been cut, confirming that the reduction applies only to bulk returns at the counting centres.