Banning Single-Use Plastic Products
New Regulation Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Products in Sales Points
As of today, a new regulation called “Regulation on Reducing the Impact of Single-Use Plastic Products on the Environment” has come into effect in Turkey. Published under the Environment Law No. 18/2012, this regulation is an initiative of the Environmental Protection Department affiliated to the Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment.
The main aim of this regulation is to reduce the environmental impact caused by single-use plastic products. To achieve this goal, the regulation prohibits the provision of single-use plastic products at sales points, whether free of charge or not. Furthermore, these products cannot be included in any promotions or campaigns.
The regulations specify the following products that are prohibited from being supplied to the market:
1. Plastic ear buds, except for medical uses.
2. Plastic forks, spoons, knives, plates, and glasses.
3. Plastic stir sticks.
4. Pipettes, except for medical uses.
5. Balloon stems, except for non-consumer industrial uses.
6. Fast-food meal packages made of plastic.
7. Fast-food meal packages made of expanded polystyrene.
8. Products made of oxo-degradable plastics.
The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that sales points found to be using these prohibited products can be reported to the ALO 123 Environmental Complaints line.
This regulation is a significant step towards addressing the environmental challenges posed by single-use plastics. By reducing the use of these disposable products, Turkey aims to minimize plastic waste and protect the environment for future generations.
It is important for sales points to comply with this regulation and seek alternative, more sustainable options to replace single-use plastic products. Consumers are also encouraged to support this initiative by choosing reusable products and avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible.
Overall, this regulation reflects Turkey’s commitment to environmental preservation and sets an example for other countries in the fight against plastic pollution. It is hoped that the implementation of this regulation will contribute to a cleaner and greener future for all.
