Turkey’s Bag Fee Policy Eliminates 2.8 Million Tonnes of Plastic Waste
Since the program began, around 205,000 buildings have adopted the Zero Waste Management System.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Turkey has prevented the generation of nearly 2.8 million tonnes of plastic waste since introducing its paid plastic bag policy, according to data from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Figures from the ministry’s 2025 Annual Activity Report show that between 2019 and 2025, the policy helped avoid the creation of about 2.84 million tonnes of plastic waste nationwide. The measure was introduced to curb environmental pollution and reduce the excessive use of single-use plastic bags.
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The policy forms part of the wider Zero Waste Project, launched in 2017 under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan. The initiative aims to promote sustainable waste management and create a cleaner environment for future generations.
Since the program began, around 205,000 buildings have adopted the Zero Waste Management System. Turkey’s recycling rate has also increased significantly, rising from 13% in 2017 to 36% in 2024, with authorities targeting a 60% recycling rate by 2035.
Recycling initiatives have recovered millions of tonnes of paper, plastic, glass and metals, generating roughly 256 billion Turkish liras in economic value while saving water, energy and petroleum and preventing substantial carbon emissions.