Importance of Waste Management

The Importance of Waste Management Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of PLASFED, stating that the implementation of a deposit system is of great importance for our country: "On the other hand, source separation projects should also be implemented as soon as possible in terms of healthy waste management. Not only infrastructure investments by central and local public authorities but also awareness-raising activities should be planned. It should not be forgotten that even if work begins today, bringing source separation to an acceptable level will take many years. For this reason, we must embark on this path without any delay," he said.

Zero Waste Project Should Be Accelerated

Addressing the importance of the zero waste project for our country, Karadeniz stated: "It is possible to prevent environmental problems by prioritizing recycling over solid waste landfilling. Within this scope, accelerating the zero waste project, which has taken its first steps, is of great importance. In particular, local administrations that are responsible for the matter need to accelerate their investments. Additionally, supporting these investments with training and public awareness campaigns is also critically important. As in almost all developed countries, in our country too it will be possible to reduce environmental problems to a minimum as a result of source separation of waste. Moreover, through the source separation method, recycling of waste collected in a clean manner will also provide significant economic gains. When we look specifically at the plastic sector, it is a fact that we have a structure that is dependent on imports of over 85 percent in raw materials. If we establish an effective source separation system domestically and can recycle the plastics released to the market, the import needs of our sector will be much reduced and this added value will remain in our country. A similar situation applies to paper, metal and other product groups," he said.

Project Financing Should Be Supported

Karadeniz, noting that financial support should be provided to local administrations for source separation projects and the collection and sorting sector should be subsidized, stated: "As in Europe, resources collected from those placing packaging on the market should be allocated to project financing and subsidies necessary for the system to operate. Since these sectors cannot create profit margins, they are always inclined to work inefficiently. Additionally, another point that should not be forgotten is that after the deposit system is implemented, PET and aluminum packaging waste, which constitute the most valuable part of waste in our country, will be excluded from the collection-sorting system and this will further reduce the profitability of these facilities. For this reason, a serious subsidy system must absolutely be implemented. The transfer of GEKAP, which is already being collected, as a resource to this system is also in line with other good example practices in the world," he said.