03.08.2026 14:43
A new application has been implemented within the scope of the Deposited Packaging (DOA) System, carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Thanks to the 'Mobile DOA' handheld terminals developed for markets, grocery stores, and kiosks that do not have a deposit return machine, neighborhood shopkeepers are now becoming return points. With the system, which has started to be used in Istanbul, citizens will be able to easily deliver their plastic, glass, and metal packaging to the nearest shopkeeper without waiting in line.
A revolutionary new step has been taken to facilitate recycling within the scope of the Deposit-Return Scheme (DRS). With the project carried out by the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA) under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, grocery stores, corner shops and kiosks without a deposit return machine are turning into return points thanks to "Mobile DRS" handheld terminals.
PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR POINTS WITHOUT DEPOSIT RETURN MACHINES
Mobile DRS devices, developed for regions where return machines cannot be installed or where there is high density in the DRS, were first delivered to tradespeople in Ümraniye, Istanbul. Thanks to these handheld terminals, businesses without a return machine have started to serve as "Manual Return Points" in the system.
"WE CAN ACCEPT 100 PRODUCTS IN 15 MINUTES"
Ercan İnci, a tradesperson in Ümraniye who started using the system, registered via the address "dbys.gov.tr" and received the Mobile DRS device free of charge. Stating that the device is extremely easy to use, just like making a sale, İnci made the following assessment: "Our biggest problem was congestion. Thanks to this device, we can accept up to 100 products from a customer in a maximum of 15 minutes. We accept plastic, PET, glass and tin cans from our citizens, ensuring that the barcodes on them are intact. This is a project that is friendly to both tradespeople, the public, and nature. Citizens can easily see the nearest Mobile DRS points through the DRS application."
TÜÇA: WE WILL COLLECT PACKAGING CLEAN AT THE SOURCE
Aybike Mısır, Environmental Engineer at TÜÇA, who stated that the distribution of Mobile DRS devices to tradespeople has begun, explained the environmental and economic goals of the project. Emphasizing that the system accelerates citizens' access to recycling, Mısır said: "This system was initiated especially so that citizens can return their packaging much faster at points where deposit return machines cannot be installed. Every tradesperson given a Mobile DRS device starts accepting immediately. Our goal in the project is to collect packaging cleanly at the source and bring it back into recycling for a more sustainable future."
HOW DOES THE MOBILE DRS SYSTEM WORK?
- Free Application: Tradespeople register with the Deposit Information Management System via the dbys.gov.tr address and access the device for free.
- Accepted Packaging: Plastic, PET, glass and metal (tin) cans with undamaged barcodes are included in the system.
- Easy Map Access: Citizens can see the nearest neighborhood tradespeople on the map via the mobile DRS application and deliver their packaging.