Turkey's Deposit Return System records 20 million bottle returns, targets import cut

Turkey’s Deposit Return System (DOA), launched on 1 July 2026, rewards citizens receive 1 TL for each returned beverage container. Within the first ten days, about 20 million containers were returned, the mobile app reached over 2 million users and 482 beverage producers have joined, covering 3 673 product types.

The government expects the scheme to lower beverage‑packaging imports by 35‑40 %, contribute roughly $600 million annually to the current‑account balance, cut about 37 000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and save 1.3 billion kWh of energy. To curb abuse, the system now limits entries to QR‑code scans and caps individual returns at 200 containers per day; violators face fines up to 1.8 million lira. Reports of misuse have emerged in Sakarya, Konya and other regions, prompting tighter controls.

The programme is financed by producer‑paid deposit contributions, not the public budget, and is supported by domestic machine manufacturers and a network of roughly 2 500 machines, with a goal of 20 000 machines and 30 000 manual collection points by 2027.