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Türkiye's new deposit-return packaging (DOA) system collected 18.78 million beverage packages in its first 10 days, according to figures compiled by state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
The system, launched July 1 as part of the country's Zero Waste Movement, is run by the Türkiye Environment Agency (TUCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. National integration began on the same date, extending the program to 81 provinces and 973 districts.
DOA separates plastic, glass and aluminum beverage packaging at the source, tracks it digitally and channels it back into the economy.
Consumers who return DOA-logo packaging to reverse vending machines or manual collection points earn ₺1 ($0.021) per eligible item, which is credited to a digital wallet in the DOA app. As of the 10-day mark, 1.99 million users had registered with the system.
Hotels, restaurants and cafes are required to register through the Deposit Information Management System (DBYS) by the end of October and to select an authorized field operator to work with, as part of the mandatory implementation process. Businesses that fail to meet the deadline face administrative measures under applicable regulations.
Once registered, businesses accumulate DOA-logo packaging that is collected regularly by authorized operators and fed into the recycling chain.
Businesses receive 20 kurus per package collected this way, with the entire process—collection, transport and verification—tracked through a digital system.
Officials aim to recover roughly 25 billion beverage packages placed on the market in Türkiye each year through the DOA system, with a projected annual contribution of ₺30 billion ($639.7 million) to the economy.
The recovery rate target is 50% in the system's initial phase, rising to 80% as the program matures. Over a 20- to 30-year period, the system is expected to create employment for 20,000 people.
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