Starlinger & PAAG: Scaling up PET bottle-to-bottle recycling in Türkiye

For bottle collection, PAAG itself has set up a door-to-door collection system named ‘To-Ka’ for PET bottles from end consumers. In addition, collection points have been established through collaborations with recycling partners and community organizations, and eco-friendly transportation methods are used for transporting the collected post-consumer PET bottles. Upon arrival at the recycling facility, the PET bottles undergo a meticulous sorting and cleaning process to remove contaminants before the shredded and washed bottles are processed into high-quality recycled PET pellets at the Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ system. Starlinger’s super-clean PET recycling process as well as PAAG’s rigid quality assurance program ensures that the recycled material meets and even exceeds industry standards.

Drivers for environmental awareness

While the Turkish government has taken steps to address environmental issues including plastic waste, the setting in the country is dynamic, and specific incentives vary. As of now, both government initiatives and private businesses like PAAG contribute to foster environmental awareness and plastic waste collection in Türkiye. Private businesses often are driven by corporate responsibility and sustainability goals and take proactive measures to address environmental challenges. PAAG's commitment to recycling PET bottles and contributing to a circular economy is an example of how private enterprises can be drivers of positive environmental impact. The afore mentioned waste collection and management initiative named ‘To-Ka’ is a project voluntarily created and initiated by PAAG. ‘To-Ka’ stands for ‘topla – kazan’ (‘collect – win’) and aims to actively engage citizens and corporate entities in plastic waste collection through a reward system. Individuals as well as businesses can return collected PET bottles via reverse vending machines strategically placed in areas with high visitor traffic such as gas stations, supermarkets and stores via the ‘To-Ka’ app. Through the app, citizens also can inform PAAG waste collectors to pick up the collected PET bottles at the doorstep. Either way they earn a certain amount of points for every bottle, which is credited to the ‘To-Ka’ app. The accumulated points can be used for payment at POS systems in cafés, retail shops, etc. or donated. The ‘To-Ka’ project has been in operation since May 2023 in the Greater Istanbul area. As the next step, the roll-out in 15 other major cities in Türkiye is planned.

“PAAG remains dedicated to its role as a responsible corporate entity, aligning its practices with environmental goals and contributing to the broader efforts to manage plastic waste in Türkiye”, said Bekir Öktenoğlu. “Circular economy is our compass. We believe that by actively participating in the bottle-to-bottle recycling market, PAAG can play a pivotal role in fostering a circular economy, creating a more sustainable future, and inspiring others in the industry to embrace environmentally friendly practices.”

www.recycling.starlinger.com    www.paag.com.tr