Waste Management

Interest in the initiative has led to long queues forming at deposit return machines in Istanbul and several other provinces as people brought bags of used plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans to be processed one by one.

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directly into users’ digital wallets via the DOA mobile app, from which funds can be transferred to bank accounts, withdrawn from ATMs, or used for purchases at participating retailers.

The project aligns with tightening EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requirements for recyclability and recycled content, which are driving significant innovation across the packaging sector.

The investment builds on California’s broader sustainability agenda including SB 54, which establishes an EPR program for packaging and single-use plastic foodservice ware set to take effect on 1 January 2027.

Consumers can deposit unwanted devices into specialized containers with no prior booking, handling fees, or paperwork required.

MAN cited international experience, noting that Kenya’s 2017 ban on thin plastic bags led to factory closures and job losses, yet banned bags continue to circulate through smuggling and cross-border trade.

These plants process a wide range of materials, including construction and demolition waste, plastics, metals, paper, tyres, and other recyclable products.

The partnership includes work on market development, connecting recyclers with brand owners who have committed to using recycled content.

The material’s resistance to heat and moisture is critical: a fiber lid that softens when holding hot coffee would fail.