Source :pagev.net

PAGEV OFFICIALS MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND URBANIZATION BECAME THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

 

As part of the harmonization process with the EU, the Regulation on the Control of Packaging Waste, prepared under this framework, stipulates that plastic shopping bags will be sold for 25 kuruş starting January 1, 2019, keeping the issue in the public agenda. While many different opinions have emerged regarding this matter, PAGEV emphasizes that producers should not be disadvantaged. Most recently, Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of PAGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, along with industry representatives, met with the Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Murat Kurum, to share their expectations and propose solutions regarding the pricing of plastic shopping bags and the implementation of the “Recovery Participation Fee.”

Following the introduction of paid plastic bags, retailers had launched an intense campaign in 2018 to implement the system. PAGEV officials, working actively to resolve industry issues, met with representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and noted that such a sudden transition would force many companies to close, successfully advocating for postponing the implementation to January 2019. This provided a breathing space for producers who were not yet ready for the change.

This year, the issue of charging for plastic bags resurfaced as part of the Presidential 100-Day Program. While the Parliament prepares regulations for the implementation, plastic shopping bags will be sold for 25 kuruş starting January 1, 2019. Highlighting the rapid pace of this process, PAGEV officials and industry representatives met with Minister Murat Kurum to share their views and recommendations.

Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Board of PAGEV, PAGÇEV, and SEM Plastik, pointed out that charging for plastic shopping bags and the current “Recovery Participation Fee” could severely damage manufacturers operating in the plastic sector. He stated:

“The process is moving very quickly. It is critical to phase in the transition to prevent our manufacturers from being adversely affected. Our industry representatives have been examining this issue for a long time. We shared our views and recommendations with Minister Murat Kurum. We proposed three main points: First, the transition, which was postponed for one year at PAGEV’s request last year, should now be structured as a three-year gradual implementation. While producing, our industry representatives are also investing in technology and adapting to new standards. Therefore, new regulations should be applied gradually. Second, according to current legislation, all double-layer bags over 0.15 microns are to be sold for a fee. We suggested, as in the EU, to exclude bags over 0.50 microns from this law. Third, we proposed excluding biodegradable bioplastics, which are currently not covered by the legislation, from the fee system.”

Eroğlu also highlighted another critical point discussed with the Minister: the prevalence of “anti-plastic rhetoric.” He stated:

“Statements made publicly against plastics put pressure on our companies producing shopping bags. Such rhetoric can lead banks to withdraw existing credits or deny new loans to these manufacturers, which would deal a severe blow to our industry. We were very pleased with the Minister’s statement to the press after our meeting, emphasizing that ‘we are not anti-plastic.’ We believe this sensitivity will continue in the future. We are also hopeful for a positive response regarding our recommendation that biodegradable bioplastics remain free. However, given how far the process has progressed, we are unfortunately not very optimistic about a phased approach to the fee for plastic shopping bags.”

Eroğlu expressed gratitude to all parties involved, emphasizing the productivity of the meeting, including: AK Party MP Ahmet Kılıç and Kağan Yeşil, Chairman of the Bursa Chamber of Industry and Commerce Plastic Committee, as well as Minister Murat Kurum, Deputy Minister Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Birpınar, Director General of Environmental Management Sebahattin Dökmeci, Director General of EIA, Permits and Inspections Muhammet Ecel, Head of Waste Management Department Ahmet Varır, and representatives from Sunteks Plastik, Huzur Plastik, Eren Plastik, PAGÇEV, and PAGEV Secretariat.

We will continue to share updates and developments on this closely monitored process.

Under the Packaging Waste Control Regulation, a “Recovery Participation Fee” had been proposed, requiring plastic packaging producers and importers to pay 60 kuruş per kilogram of product (equivalent to 15 kuruş per shopping bag) to the budget through the relevant provincial directorates. Following negotiations with the Economy and Environmental Management authorities, significant progress has been made to amend the payment to be collected from the companies placing products on the market rather than directly from producers, and we hope to see positive developments in this regard.