Recycling Essential to Reducing Carbon Footprint

Recycling Essential for Reducing Carbon Footprint Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of the Plastics Manufacturers Federation (PLASFED), noted that exports to Europe, which is one of the world's largest markets and Turkey's main export market, are dictated by both consumer demands and legal regulations favoring circular economy production: "The use of recycled plastic in all plastic products, particularly packaging, and thereby reducing carbon footprint is of major importance to the European Union's Green Deal strategy. In this context, we are increasingly receiving requests for the use of raw materials derived from recycling in plastic products," he said. Stating that Turkey is one of the world's most important plastic product manufacturers, Karadeniz noted, "Our country produces approximately 11.5 million tonnes of plastic products. On the other hand, although our recycling sector has entered a rapid growth trend in recent years, its production still falls short of meeting all the needs of our plastic industry. For this reason, we attach great importance to implementing new investments in the recycling sector. Of course, an important point here is that the recycling sector has very limited access to plastic waste that it needs. While all industrial waste generated in our country is recycled, only a small portion of household waste, which is contaminated with organic waste due to lack of separation at source, can be recycled. By not sorting at source, we are turning valuable material that could be recycled into garbage while also harming the environment. If we can quickly implement a source separation system in the coming period, it will be possible to recycle all these packaging waste. Of course, for this to happen, central government must demonstrate its will, local authorities must rapidly implement infrastructure investments, and public awareness campaigns must be launched," he said.

R&D efforts should be supported

Noting that many European countries will implement specific recycling quotas in packaging exports in the coming years, Ömer Karadeniz stated: "Currently, with the system being implemented by the United Kingdom, companies that do not use recycled raw materials in plastic packaging production are losing considerable competitive strength. Particularly for packaging in contact with food, recycled raw materials must be produced to very high quality standards. For this reason, support should be given to R&D efforts in the chemical recycling field being conducted in our country so that these efforts gain commercial value as soon as possible. Although there are many recycling investments in our country, it is a known fact that these facilities need R&D to improve product quality. If we continue our leading role in Europe in the recycling field, these legal regulations could even increase our competitive strength," he said.