THE IMPACT OF WASTE MANAGEMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY ON PACKAGING WASTE

Öz

This study aims to examine the production, market release, and recovery quantities of packaging waste in Türkiye between 2009 and 2021, revealing the development of packaging waste management in terms of environmental sustainability and economic value. Data published by the Department of Circular Economy and Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change were analyzed. The findings indicate that during this period, the amount of packaging produced increased by approximately 3.5 times, while the recovery rate declined from 153% in 2009 to 61% in 2021, stabilizing thereafter. The highest recycling rate was observed in paper–cardboard packaging, whereas plastics and composite materials showed lower recovery rates. Following the implementation of the Zero Waste policies after 2018, a significant increase was recorded in municipal participation and the number of licensed facilities. The results demonstrate that packaging waste is not only an environmental burden but also a strategic element that generates economic added value and resource efficiency through recovery. Moreover, Türkiye has achieved structural progress in line with its circular economy goals; however, material-based recycling rates need further improvement.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Packaging waste
• Circular economy
• Economic sustainability.

EKONOMİK PERSPEKTİFTEN ATIK YÖNETİMİNİN ÇEVRESEL SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİRLİĞE ETKİSİ: AMBALAJ ATIKLARI ÜZERİNE BİR İNCELEME

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de 2009–2021 yılları arasında ambalaj atıklarının üretim, piyasaya sürüm ve geri kazanım miktarlarını inceleyerek çevresel sürdürülebilirlik ve iktisadi değer açısından ambalaj atık yönetiminin gelişimini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı’nın Döngüsel Ekonomi ve Atık Yönetimi Dairesi tarafından yayımlanan Ambalaj Bültenleri (2009–2021) verileri analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, bu dönemde üretilen ambalaj miktarının yaklaşık 3,5 kat arttığını, ancak geri kazanım oranının 2009’daki %153 seviyesinden 2021’de %61’e gerileyerek sonrasında dengelendiğini göstermektedir. Kâğıt–karton ambalajlarda en yüksek geri dönüşüm oranı elde edilirken, plastik ve kompozit ambalajlarda oranların düşük kaldığı belirlenmiştir. 2018 sonrası Sıfır Atık politikalarının uygulanmasıyla belediye katılımı ve lisanslı tesis sayısında önemli artışlar gözlenmiştir. Sonuçlar, ambalaj atıklarının yalnızca çevresel bir yük değil, aynı zamanda geri kazanım yoluyla ekonomik katma değer ve kaynak verimliliği sağlayan stratejik bir unsur olduğunu; Türkiye’nin döngüsel ekonomi hedefleri doğrultusunda yapısal bir ilerleme kaydettiğini, ancak malzeme bazlı geri dönüşüm oranlarının artırılması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ambalaj atıkları
• Döngüsel ekonomi
• İktisadi sürdürülebilirlik.

Kaynakça

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