We began our agenda management efforts in 2017 regarding the paid sale of plastic shopping bags, which poses a threat to our future, in collaboration with the Türkiye Retailers Federation (TPF), the umbrella organization for 4,000 markets, and the 15 Retailers Association (PERDER), all of which are locally owned.
The detrimental effects of plastic shopping bags, which amount to 440 per person annually, on people, nature, all living beings, and the national economy, were communicated to the public through press conferences and activities conducted for local supermarket customers across Türkiye over a span of two years.
Additionally, the issue was addressed from various perspectives with the participation of multiple stakeholders at the 10th edition of the Local Chains Meet event held in 2018. During the event, alternative specially designed cloth bags for consumers were introduced and distributed free of charge.
It takes 400 years in the sea and 800 years on land for a plastic bag to disappear in nature. Take a step for nature now and wear a cloth bag instead of a plastic bag when shopping!
As a result of these initiatives, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Environment Commission approved the introduction of a fee for plastic shopping bags as of January 1, 2019. This decision was made within the scope of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's Zero Waste project and the Law Proposal on Amendments to the Environmental Law and Certain Laws.
