Is a Secondary Raw Material Crisis Looming? ÇEVKO Offers Critical Assessment

ÇEVKO Foundation General Secretary Mete İmer, in an assessment made on World Environment Day, stated that the European Union's new regulations on recycling and waste shipments are reshaping secondary raw material supply and global supply chains. Drawing attention to the increased strategic importance of circular economy practices during this period when Turkey is preparing to host COP31, İmer emphasized that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model must be effectively implemented for sustainable resource management.

ÇEVKO Foundation General Secretary Mete İmer, commenting on World Environment Day, said that the European Union's new regulations on recycling, packaging waste and waste shipments will directly affect not only the European market, but also global raw material flows and the recycling sector.

Noting that Turkey is preparing to host the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a period in which clean transition and circular economy policies are becoming increasingly important, İmer stated that the use of recycled materials has moved beyond being an environmental choice to become a strategic economic factor.

Domestic Resources Must Be Utilized for Circular Economy
Pointing out that the EU is positioning secondary raw materials as a strategic industrial policy element, İmer made the following assessment:

"The EU's success in this area will depend not only on the tightness of regulations, but also on investments in recycling infrastructure, harmonization of standards and the effective functioning of secondary raw material markets. Otherwise, circular economy targets may remain strong in theory but fragile in practice.

For Turkey, converting packaging waste into a reliable raw material source for industry is of great importance. Particularly considering the foreseen possibility that waste trade with the EU may become more limited in the future, separate collection at source and recovery into the economy of recyclable waste generated after consumption has now become a critical necessity."

ÇEVKO Foundation: Solution Lies in Strengthening the EPR Model
Emphasizing that industry must play a more active role in the transition to a circular economy, Mete İmer drew attention to the importance of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model.

"The EPR model is an effective environmental policy as defined by the OECD that extends the producer's responsibility through to the post-consumption phase of the product. Although Turkey has the legislative infrastructure in place, the desired level has not been achieved in practice. To achieve success in the circular economy, recyclable waste must be separately collected at source, effectively recovered and industry must play a more active role within the system. Restructuring the EPR and GEKAP mechanisms in a way that complements each other will provide important contributions to sustainability."

New Risks in Secondary Raw Material Supply
Stating that the EU's new Waste Shipment Regulation will lead to significant changes in secondary raw material supply, İmer shared the following information:

"With the new regulation in the EU, serious restrictions are being imposed on the shipment of waste to non-OECD countries. As of 21 November 2026, the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries will be prohibited. From 21 May 2027 onwards, the export of non-hazardous waste will only be possible to countries approved by the European Commission.

Although Turkey is an OECD country, since it ranks among the countries importing the most waste from the EU, it may face stricter inspection procedures. This situation could bring new risks in terms of raw material supply for the recycling sector."

A New Era Begins for Plastic Packaging
Reminding that important obligations under the EU's Regulation 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste will come into effect, İmer listed the main headlines of the regulations as follows:

As of 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable.
The minimum recycled content ratios in plastic packaging will reach 10-35% in 2030 and 25-65% in 2040.
Member states will need to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling rates.
The use of at least 25% recycled content in PET bottles will become mandatory in 2025 and at least 30% in 2030.

"Circular Economy Will Be One of the Most Critical Topics at COP31"
Calling on all stakeholders in his World Environment Day message, Mete İmer concluded his remarks as follows:

"During this period when Turkey is preparing to host COP31, efficient use of resources, separate collection of waste at source and widespread implementation of circular economy practices are more important than ever. Environmental protection and combating climate change can only be achieved through the joint efforts of the public sector, private sector, local governments and citizens. I hope that World Environment Day will contribute to raising awareness on this issue, and I congratulate all our stakeholders who create value for the environment on World Environment Day."