Report on Türkiye’s Deposit Management System and its Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A National Initiative for Sustainable Development

The Republic of Türkiye is advancing its national environmental policy through the phased implementation of a comprehensive Deposit Management System (DMS). This initiative, operating under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Zero Waste Project, is designed to transition the country towards a circular economy. The system directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by converting waste into valuable resources, thereby fostering environmental protection, economic resilience, and social development.

System Implementation and Operational Framework

Phased National Rollout

The deployment of the Deposit Management System is structured in a strategic, phased approach to ensure effective integration and operational success across the nation:

1. Pilot Program: A successful pilot implementation was conducted in the province of Sakarya to test the system’s viability and operational mechanics.
2. Initial Expansion: Infrastructure development and machine installation are currently underway in six key provinces: Erzurum, Mersin, Gaziantep, Samsun, Izmir, and Konya.
3. Full National Coverage: The system is scheduled to be fully operational in all 81 provinces and associated districts by the end of the current year, achieving comprehensive national reach.

Technological Infrastructure and Citizen Engagement

The system’s framework is built on modern technology to facilitate public participation and efficient management, directly supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Collection Network: Approximately 4,500 automated return machines will be installed in secure, high-traffic public locations such as government facilities, municipal buildings, and chain stores.
• Digital Interface: A mobile application, “Deposit Packaging Returns (DOA),” will enable citizens to scan QR codes on packaging and receive financial credits to an electronic wallet for each item deposited.
• Logistical Management: A sophisticated digital monitoring system tracks the fill levels of all machines in real-time, enabling the prompt dispatch of collection teams to ensure continuous operation.

Projected Impacts on Sustainable Development

Economic and Circular Economy Contributions (SDG 8 & SDG 12)

The DMS is projected to generate substantial economic benefits and reinforce the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Revenue Generation: By 2026, the system is expected to generate an estimated €520 million annually through the collection and recycling of approximately 25 billion waste items per year.
• Resource Independence: The recovered materials will serve as a domestic source of raw materials for key industries, including textiles and automotive manufacturing, thereby reducing reliance on imports and strengthening the national economy.

Social and Urban Development (SDG 4 & SDG 11)

Revenue generated from the DMS will be reinvested into critical public infrastructure projects, directly advancing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

• Resilient Housing: Funds are allocated for the construction of 10,000 earthquake-resistant homes, enhancing community safety and urban resilience.
• Educational Infrastructure: The initiative will finance the construction of over 150 new schools, contributing to improved access to quality education nationwide.

Environmental and Climate Action (SDG 13)

By formalizing a national recycling framework, the DMS is a significant step in Türkiye’s commitment to SDG 13 (Climate Action). The system promotes a circular economy that minimizes landfill waste, reduces the carbon footprint associated with virgin material production, and contributes to the nation’s overall climate change mitigation strategy.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article focuses on a national waste management system, the “Deposit Management System (DMS),” being implemented across all 81 provinces and districts in Türkiye. This directly relates to improving municipal waste management in cities and communities. The plan to use the generated funds to build “10,000 earthquake-resistant homes and more than 150 new schools” also contributes to creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable settlements.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The core of the article is the “Zero Waste Project” and the DMS, which aims to “transform waste from mere garbage into valuable raw materials.” This initiative promotes recycling and the principles of a circular economy, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns by reducing waste generation.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article highlights the economic benefits of the waste management system. It projects that the system will “generate 520 million euros ($607 million) annually” and “reduce reliance on imports across multiple sectors, including textiles and automotive manufacturing.” This demonstrates a decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation by creating economic value from waste, thus promoting sustainable economic growth.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The initiative is spearheaded by the “Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change,” indicating that waste management is integrated into Türkiye’s broader climate strategy. Effective recycling and waste reduction are crucial for lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with raw material extraction and landfill decomposition, thus contributing to climate action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities

   • The article describes a nationwide system to manage waste in all “81 provinces and districts.” The installation of “around 4,500 automated return machines” in cities is a direct measure to improve municipal waste management, thereby reducing the environmental impact of urban areas.

2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

   • The entire “Deposit Management System” is designed to achieve this target. By incentivizing citizens to return packaging materials for recycling, the project aims to handle “an estimated 25 billion waste bottles each year,” directly contributing to a substantial reduction in waste through recycling.

3. Target 8.4: Improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production

   • The article states the project will transform waste into “valuable raw materials,” which will “reduce reliance on imports across multiple sectors.” This process improves resource efficiency by creating a circular flow of materials, generating economic value (€520 million annually) from what was previously waste, and decoupling economic activity from virgin resource consumption.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Targets 11.6 and 12.5

   • Volume of waste recycled: The article specifies a target of recycling “an estimated 25 billion waste bottles each year.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of the amount of solid waste recycled.
   • Infrastructure deployment: The plan to install “around 4,500 automated return machines” and achieve “full national coverage” across “all 81 provinces” serves as a process indicator for the system’s capacity and reach.

2. Indicators for Target 8.4

   • Economic value generated from recycling: The projection that the system will “generate 520 million euros ($607 million) annually” is a key financial indicator measuring the economic contribution of recycling.
   • Investment in sustainable infrastructure: The allocation of funds toward “10,000 earthquake-resistant homes” and “more than 150 new schools” is a measurable indicator of how the economic benefits are reinvested into community well-being and resilience.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailysabah.com