Turkey implements deposit return system for beverage packaging

Turkey has implemented a Deposit Return System (DOA) to collect and recycle beverage packaging, including plastic, glass, and aluminum. The initiative aims to reduce the country's 80 percent dependency on imported plastic raw materials by reintegrating collected waste into industries such as automotive, textiles, and beverage production.

In Isparta, ASL Geri Dönüşüm, the sole authorized company by the Ministry, has begun accepting deposit-based products. The company aims to integrate 15 million items into the recycling system monthly by the end of the year. To support this, ASL plans to increase its counting and verification lines from one to four and expand manual return points to 15 by year-end. Additionally, seven deposit return machines are scheduled for installation in December, with a goal of reaching 30 machines next year.

Nationally, the system has already collected over 326 million beverage containers since September 25, with 3.3 million registered users. Industry experts note that approximately 25 billion deposit-eligible products enter the Turkish market annually. The system is designed to transform waste into industrial raw materials, significantly reducing the need for imports.