18.07.2026 13:30
The Deposit Management System (DOA), which started on July 1, recycled over 33 million packages in its first 17 days, while the number of users reached 2.3 million. In the system, where the most packaging was collected in Istanbul and Denizli, TÜÇA took action against those exceeding the daily limit of 200 items using others' identity information. To prevent queues, entries with Turkish ID and phone number were restricted, and scanning QR codes via the mobile app became mandatory.
Under the "Zero Waste" vision, the Deposit Management System (DOA), implemented across Turkey as of July 1, 2026, achieved a massive success in its first 17 days. The system recycled over 33 million beverage packages in a short time, and a swift precaution was taken against opportunists using others' Turkish ID numbers to exceed the daily limit of 200 packages. TÜÇA introduced a "QR Code" requirement to prevent abuses.
33 MILLION PACKAGES RECYCLED IN 17 DAYS
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced the first 17-day data of the Deposit Management System (DOA) via a post on his social media account. According to the data shared by Minister Kurum;
- Number of packages recovered: 33,333,990 units
- Number of registered users: 2,331,984 people
Emphasizing the intense interest of citizens in the system, Minister Kurum stated, "We protect our resources and embrace the future together."
ISTANBUL AND DENİZLİ AT THE TOP
City-based data has also been clarified for the system, which is coordinated by the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA) and recovers glass, plastic, and aluminum packaging waste by separating it at the source, contributing to the economy. The top 5 cities with the most collected packages are listed as follows:
- 1. Istanbul: 2,760,802 units
- 2. Denizli: 1,332,752 units
- 3. Sakarya: 1,260,888 units
- 4. Ankara: 1,225,795 units
- 5. Bursa: 1,200,501 units
In Sakarya, the city that first tested the system as a "pilot province" in February 2025, the total number of packages collected to date has reached 92 million 538 thousand 888.
"QR CODE" LOCK ON THE SYSTEM!
The great interest in the system also brought some abuses. TÜÇA President Nurullah Öztürk, in a statement to CNBC-e, noted that some individuals used their relatives' Turkish ID numbers and mobile phone information to bypass the daily limit of 200 packages. Öztürk stated that people arriving at return points with 1,500 to 2,000 packages caused long queues at machines, slowing the system and harming other citizens, adding, "To prevent abuses, entries made with Turkish ID numbers and mobile phone information have been temporarily restricted. Return transactions can now only be made by scanning the QR code generated in the DOA mobile application."
According to the statement, after an approximately two-month integration process, the system is planned to operate entirely with QR code verification.