Türkiye launches deposit return system paying per recycled container, targeting 90% collection rate

TÜRKIYE – Türkiye will pay consumers 1 Turkish Lira (approximately US$0.03) for each eligible beverage container returned under its new Deposit Management System from July 1, aiming to raise the current 35 percent collection rate to 90 percent.

Products bearing the “DOA” logo will be included in the system, rolled out across chain supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, and shopping malls nationwide. 

Consumers will return containers to reverse-vending machines and receive payment through a digital wallet. 

Environment Minister Murat Kurum stressed that the system would not impose additional cost on consumers, as the refund is financed through fees paid by producers. 

The government expects annual savings of 30 billion lira (approximately US$930 million) and recovery of up to 25 billion pieces of packaging waste annually.

The Economics of a Deposit System

Deposit return systems add a small refundable fee to beverage containers at purchase, repaid when the empty container is returned. 

The 1 lira deposit per container is significant; for a 1.5 litre PET water bottle retailing at approximately 5 lira, the deposit adds 20 percent to the upfront cost, creating a strong incentive to return the bottle. 

Türkiye’s current packaging collection rate of 35 percent is below the EU average; the 90 percent target would put Türkiye on par with the best-performing DRS countries such as Germany (98 percent for beverage cans) and Norway (92 percent for PET bottles).

Digital Wallets and Nationwide Access

Reverse-vending machines will accept containers, scan the DOA logo, and dispense credit to the consumer’s digital wallet. 

Digital wallets reduce the need for staff to handle cash and prevent fraud. 

Deposit-return machines and collection points will be available across all 81 provinces and 973 districts, ensuring that a consumer in a small town has the same access as one in Istanbul. 

The 30 billion lira annual savings estimate includes reduced litter collection costs, lower landfill disposal fees, and the value of recovered materials sold to recyclers.

Beyond Containers: Single-Use Plastics

Kurum also announced plans to curb plastic pollution through new regulations expected in September, encouraging the replacement of single-use plastic items such as straws, cutlery, and food-service products with biodegradable, recyclable, or renewable alternatives, including bamboo and wood-based materials. 

The four-day Zero Waste Festival in Istanbul, running through June 7, hosts hundreds of events showcasing recycling projects, circular economy solutions, and sustainable living initiatives.

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