Our Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Chief Climate Negotiator, Ms. Fatma Varank, delivered a speech at the ministerial session of the INC 5.2 meeting held in Geneva. The session in which Ms. Varank spoke was moderated by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.
In her speech on “Challenges Faced at the National Level in Combating Plastic Pollution,” Deputy Minister Varank emphasized that plastic pollution is a global issue concerning the shared future of the planet. She noted that especially in developing countries, limited access to alternative materials and technology leads to structural challenges, adding: “The transformation of sectors dependent on single-use plastics is costly and time-consuming.”
Referring to Türkiye’s pioneering steps in this area, Ms. Varank stated that thanks to the Zero Waste Project launched in 2017, our country’s recycling rate increased from below 13% in 2017 to over 35% as of 2024. She underlined that the project offers a holistic approach aiming to collect waste separately at the source, increase recycling rates, and prevent waste generation.
National Roadmap for Single-Use Plastics, Marine Litter, and Microplastics
Varank announced that the Türkiye Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan has been completed and shared with participants that the National Roadmap for Single-Use Plastics, Marine Litter, and Microplastics—reflecting Türkiye’s priorities—was unveiled on August 12. “This roadmap is not only a reflection of our ongoing efforts but also a concrete outcome of our determination for the future and the importance we attach to international cooperation,” she said.
New Step in Recycling with the Deposit System
Explaining that the Deposit Management System aims to increase the recycling of single-use beverage containers, Ms. Varank stated that infrastructure and digital tracking mechanisms have been established, and that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) practices based on the “polluter pays” principle are effectively implemented.
Ms. Varank stressed that making global financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building mechanisms more equitable and accessible is critical in combating plastic pollution. She concluded by stating that the solution can only be achieved through an inclusive approach that takes into account different levels of development.
