Türkiye's deposit return scheme (DOA) started on 1 July 2026, covering plastic, glass and aluminium beverage packaging
Coordinated by the Environment Ministry and the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA), the scheme pays 1 lira for each deposit-bearing package returned; industry representatives expect it to contribute at least 30 billion lira a year directly.
The Packaging with Deposit (DOA) scheme has been in force nationwide since 1 July 2026. It is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change and the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA) and covers plastic, glass and aluminium beverage packaging. Citizens who return deposit-bearing packages receive a 1 lira incentive.
According to Şener Gençer, chairman of EGEPLASDER and vice chairman of PLASFED, the scheme will contribute to separation at source and recycling targets and support the domestic recycling sector by reducing plastic waste imports. Gençer said that more than 20 billion plastic beverage bottles become waste in Türkiye every year. Industry representatives expect the system to contribute at least 30 billion lira a year directly to the national economy; this figure is an industry estimate.
The report does not detail producer obligations, product scope or how return points will work. The ÇEVKO Foundation has also published an assessment of scope and obligations; for exact obligations, consult the current texts of the ministry and TÜÇA.
What does this mean for a molder?
For makers of beverage bottles and closures, the deposit scheme may improve the availability of recycled raw material by increasing the flow of separated, clean PET. Closure makers should be ready for packaging design changes from their customers (logos, marking, tethered closures and the like); confirm the exact requirements directly with your customer and the regulations.
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