Turkey Establishes Centers for High-Volume Packaging Returns, Offers 50 Kuruş Incentive

Turkey's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change has introduced a new initiative within its Deposit-Bearing Packaging (DOA) system, establishing "Counting and Verification Centers" to streamline the return process for beverage containers. This move aims to enhance the management of high-volume individual returns.

The newly operational centers will allow citizens who have accumulated significant quantities of DOA-logoed beverage packaging to submit their items for deposit refunds. For these bulk individual returns processed through the centers, an incentive payment of 50 kuruş will be provided for each eligible package.

Alongside the new centers, the existing system of reverse vending machines remains in place. Consumers can continue to use these machines for individual returns, with a daily limit of 200 packages, receiving an incentive of 1 lira per item. This dual approach ensures flexibility for consumers and efficient processing of returned packaging.

Nurullah Öztürk, President of the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA), highlighted the agency's commitment to strengthening the return infrastructure in response to public engagement. "By introducing Counting and Verification Centers for individual bulk returns, we are offering our citizens a new return channel while also ensuring that high-volume returns are managed more effectively and efficiently," Öztürk stated. Information on the nearest Counting and Verification Center can be accessed via the DOA Mobile Application or the DOA Call Center.

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By introducing Counting and Verification Centers for individual bulk returns, we are offering our citizens a new return channel while also ensuring that high-volume returns are managed more effectively and efficiently.