Protocol Signed for Environmentally Friendly Food Production

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and the Food Sector, working with the General Directorate of Environmental Management and TGDF, signed a "Protocol to Support Collaborative Work for Ensuring Environmental Sustainability of Agriculture and Food Production." A cooperation protocol prepared between the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's General Directorate of Environmental Management and the Turkish Food and Beverage Industries Associations Federation (TGDF) was signed at a ceremony held in Istanbul. The protocol encompasses efforts to minimize environmental impact in production processes, to which the food sector attaches great importance.

"Recycling Should Be Increased Within the Framework of Circular Economy Vision"

Speaking at the ceremony, General Director of Environmental Management Muhammet Ecel emphasized that rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization create significant pressure on the environment. Ecel stated that within the framework of the globally accepted circular economy vision, material recycling stands out as the most important element for the purpose of increasing recycling, facilitating access to raw materials, creating employment, and ensuring economic growth.

Zero Waste Project Is a Fundamental Movement for Change

Noting that steps have been taken within the scope of the Zero Waste Project to ensure sustainable waste management, Muhammet Ecel said, "Zero Waste is a fundamental movement for change and a holistic approach aimed at incorporating generated waste as a valuable resource into the production process. With the Zero Waste Regulation we issued on 12 July 2019, we have established a waste management system that will be adopted and implemented nationwide by 2023, thereby changing our people's perspective on waste."

Plastic Bag Use Declined 78 Percent

As of 1 January 2019, we made plastic shopping bags subject to a fee with the objective of preventing environmental pollution, raising awareness for environmental sensitivity, and managing resources efficiently. Through this regulation, we have reduced bag use by approximately 78 percent since the beginning of the year. With the amendment to the Environmental Law, we introduced the mandatory deposit system for packaging to be determined by our Ministry as of 1 January 2021. Thus, we aim to collect beverage packaging separately from other waste and ensure effective material recovery."