Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The main agenda item of the meeting was the Deposit Management System Cooperation Protocol signed on January 7, 2025 between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA) and the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK). Participating in the meeting, Prof. Dr. Ferhat Pirinççi, President of the Turkish Environment Agency (TÜÇA), shared detailed information about the functioning and implementation processes of the system. Stating that the deposit system will not only ensure environmental sustainability, but will also make significant contributions to the circular economy, Pirinççi made explanations about the stages of the system's implementation.

The meeting also discussed the determination of deposit fees, balancing financial burdens, the food labeling regulation and other legislative amendments that directly concern the beverage sector. Industry representatives expressed their concerns about the narrow timeframe for the implementation of the deposit system and the logistical costs of integrating glass packaging into the system. Prof. Dr. Ferhat Pirinççi, President of the Turkish Environment Agency, emphasized that the system is a dynamic process and that the sector's feedback will be taken into account during the implementation stages.

Assembly members drew attention to the importance of issues such as the collection processes of deposit fees, VAT regulations and the utilization of recovered PET packaging within the sector in terms of financial sustainability. TOBB officials and the Turkish Environment Agency stated that these issues will be discussed with the relevant ministries and the demands of the sector will be taken into consideration.

At the end of the meeting, the importance of more effective cooperation between the companies in the sector was emphasized and the need for joint action in the projects to be implemented in the coming period was mentioned.