Agricultural Packaging to Be Recycled

Agricultural Packaging to Be Recycled Plastic containers used for agricultural chemicals will be recycled at a facility established in Edirne's Meriç district under an EU project. Within the scope of the "Protect Nature to Protect Its Future" project, carried out with support from Meriç Chamber of Agriculture and Trakya University, a recycling facility was set up in Meriç district. Agricultural fertilizer and pesticide packaging that causes environmental pollution will be collected and recycled at this newly established facility. Products such as waste bins and waste buckets produced through recycling will be provided to manufacturers. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkyılmaz, project director and Vice Rector of Trakya University, provided statements to the press agency regarding the project. Prof. Dr. Türkyılmaz stated that plastic pollution in fields would be eliminated and channeled into recycling. In his statement, Prof. Dr. Türkyılmaz also mentioned that the project has a budget of EUR 250,000. Prof. Dr. Türkyılmaz stated: "Plastics are polymer materials and can be recycled again. We have brought such a facility to our district with EU funding. Thanks to this facility, collected plastics will be converted into granules and transformed into the desired plastic material. Whether waste bins, buckets or traffic signs can be made. With an injection molding machine, it can be transformed into anything desired."

Microplastics: Tomorrow's Greatest Problem

Prof. Dr. Türkyılmaz, saying that waste recycling will be ensured through this project, explained that waste plastics eventually mix into the Meriç River if not collected. Türkyılmaz stated: "This region is right on the riverbank. It becomes polluted downstream to the sea. Microplastics are tomorrow's greatest problem. Animals consume these microplastics and later it passes to us through animals. It causes very serious damage. We will have collected these plastics from the beginning. Agricultural areas constitute a very large area. We will then bring these plastics to the facility. Here they are first shredded and washed. Then they are fragmented, melted and converted into granules. After that, they become ready for use. This way we both protect the environment and generate income from this waste." The opening of the established recycling facility was attended by Meriç District Governor Cafer Kaymakçı, Meriç Municipality Mayor Erol Dübek, Meriç Chamber of Agriculture Chairman Hüseyin Türkan, and institution managers and farmers.