Türkiye showcases deposit return system at COP31
22:56, 31/08/2026, MondayU: Update: 23:20, 31/08/2026, Monday
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File photoThe Turkish Environment Agency said Türkiye will showcase its domestically developed Deposit-Refund System to international participants at COP31 in Antalya, demonstrating the country's digital waste management infrastructure and its ambition to become an exporter of deposit-management technologies.
The Turkish Environment Agency is preparing to present Türkiye's domestically developed Deposit-Refund System to international delegates at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Antalya. Agency officials said the digital and traceable deposit management model will be demonstrated to participants from around the world during the summit, according to information obtained by Anadolu. Deposit Return Machines are expected to be installed at COP31 venues and high-traffic locations throughout the host city, allowing visitors to experience the system firsthand.
Zero Waste initiative
The showcase forms part of Türkiye's broader Zero Waste initiative, which aims to expand the Deposit-Refund System nationwide in the coming period. Once the system reaches full operational capacity, approximately 25 billion beverage containers consumed annually across Türkiye will fall under the deposit-return scheme. With a targeted collection rate of 80%, the program aims to recover around 20 billion containers for recycling each year.
Collection and recycling rates in countries operating similar deposit return systems have reached 80%-90% or higher, agency officials noted. Türkiye aims to exceed its initial 80% collection target as the system expands nationwide and infrastructure matures.
Economic projections
Full implementation of the system is projected to reduce raw material imports by 35%-40% while contributing approximately $1 billion annually to the national economy. The Environment Agency stated that expanding domestic production of Deposit Return Machines, field operations and recycling infrastructure positions Türkiye to become a developer and exporter of deposit-management technologies.
Preparations for the COP31 demonstration are continuing under the supervision of the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry as Ankara seeks to highlight its technological capabilities in sustainable waste management to the international community.