Türkiye’s new DOA deposit system targets 25B annual recyclable containers with refund

TÜRKIYE – Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment has launched a nationwide deposit-return system for plastic, glass and aluminium beverage containers, offering citizens 1 Turkish Lira (US$0.03) per item refunded as part of a broader Zero Waste initiative that aims to boost the national recycling rate from 37.5% in 2025 to 70% by 2053.

The Deposit Return System for Beverage Packaging (DOA) went live on 1 July 2026 across all 81 Turkish provinces and 973 municipalities. 

Consumers can now return eligible containers bearing the DOA logo to designated reverse vending machines or manual collection points, receiving a digital refund of 1 lira (US$0.03) per item, a fourfold increase from the 0.25 lira (US$0.008) pilot incentive. 

Environment Minister Murat Kurum stated that citizens would no longer view these items as waste but as valuable resources for the circular economy.

DOA Digital Wallet and Reverse Vending Machine Infrastructure Expands Nationwide

Refunds are deposited directly into users’ digital wallets via the DOA mobile app, from which funds can be transferred to bank accounts, withdrawn from ATMs, or used for purchases at participating retailers. 

Currently, 1,148 reverse vending machines have been installed across Türkiye, with six domestic manufacturers producing the equipment and 853 businesses, including hotels, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, registered as manual return points. 

The Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA) estimates the system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37,000 tonnes annually, save 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, and prevent the use of 3.6 million barrels of oil.

Annual Economic Contribution of TRY 30 Billion and 70% Recycling Target by 2053

The government expects the DOA system to collect 25 billion beverage containers annually, generating approximately TRY 30 billion (US$870 million) in economic value each year. 

The initiative builds on Türkiye’s Zero Waste movement, launched under First Lady Emine Erdogan in 2017, which has already seen the national recycling rate climb from 13% in 2017 to 37.53% in 2025. 

The country aims to achieve a 60% recycling rate by 2035 and 70% by 2053. Increased recycling rates are also expected to reduce raw material imports for beverage packaging by 35–40%, strengthening domestic manufacturing. 

The DOA app and website allow citizens to locate nearby reverse vending machines, with a BTA inspection confirming two such machines currently operational in Ankara’s Grand National Assembly.

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