Last year, 51.7 million tons of waste were recycled into the economy. 48.5 million tons of this waste was turned into raw materials in recycling facilities such as plastic, paper, metal and minerals. Thus, ₺100 billion was added to the country’s economy.
According to the statement made by GEKADER, the recycling sector, one of the important stakeholders of the industrial and production sectors, continues to supply raw materials to many business lines from automotive to white goods, from textile to heavy industry.
While the sector continues its growth trend, licensed recycling facilities opened in this field play an important role in increasing the quality of raw materials by creating a competitive environment. The facilities also provide significant added value to the economy by recycling Turkiye’s waste.
In 2022, the recycling sector continued to bring the waste generated in manufacturing industry workplaces, mining enterprises, thermal power plants, OIZs and households into the country’s economy last year. While a total of 109.2 million tons of waste was generated, 29.4 million tons of which was hazardous, 51.7 million tons of it was recycled into the economy.
“48.5 million waste was raw material”
Fatih Eren, Founding President of the Recyclers and Recyclers Association, whose views were included in the statement, stated that the amount of waste, which was 104.7 million tons in 2020, increased by 4.3% and reached 109.2 million tons by the end of last year.
Eren reminded that 127.4 million tons of waste was processed in 2020, and explained that in 2022, this figure increased to 133.2 million tons and 81.4 million tons of these processed wastes were eliminated, and the recovery rate increased by 5.4% to 51.7 million tons.
Eren said, “48.5 million tons of the 51.7 million tons of recycled waste were turned into raw materials in recycling facilities such as plastic, paper, metal and minerals. Thus, we contributed ₺100 billion to the country’s economy. The other part of the recycled waste was burned, converted into energy and turned into compost.”
“Separation at home should be encouraged”
Fatih Eren emphasized the importance of waste separation in homes and said that although there has been an increase in this regard compared to previous years, the desired levels have not been reached yet.
Noting that 1.5 kilograms of waste is produced per person per day in Turkiye, Eren said, “As representatives of the recycling sector, we describe recyclable wastes such as plastic, paper and glass as ‘surface mines’. Households need to be more aware and differentiate on this issue. There is a great opportunity before us to implement practices that encourage recycling.”
Eren noted that while the number of waste disposal and recovery facilities was 2 thousand 752 in 2020, this number has now increased to 3 thousand 136, and the annual amount of waste processed has reached 133.2 million tons.
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz