Turkey's PET Bottle Deposit Queues Reveal Widespread Poverty

Turkey's recently introduced PET bottle deposit return system has led to long queues at collection machines. Elderly retirees, families with children, and young people gather large numbers of used bottles in hopes of earning the small cash rebate. While the scheme mirrors similar programs in many European nations aimed at encouraging recycling, in Turkey it has become a visible sign of deepening economic hardship. Observers note that people are collecting bottles not for environmental reasons but because even a single lira earned per bottle can make a difference for those struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and school supplies.

The phenomenon highlights the severity of the country's cost‑of‑living crisis, showing that millions are forced to supplement their incomes through informal waste collection. Critics argue that the situation underscores a broader failure to address poverty, turning a recycling initiative into a livelihood lifeline for many citizens.