Turkey is turning the 'Zero Waste' slogan into an operable textile recycling system. Since July 2026, the country has deployed clothing collection bins at national post offices and logistics points, meaning that second-hand clothing collection no longer relies on scattered NGOs but is connected to the state logistics network. This move reflects the global textile industry's rising demand for recycled fibers and the acceleration of circular economy policies in the Middle East.
Background
The Zero Waste initiative was launched in 2017 by Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan, aiming to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. The textile recycling special action is the latest implementation of this plan under the circular economy project. Samet Agirbas, chairman of the Zero Waste Foundation, stated publicly that wearable collected clothing will be distributed through social aid channels, while unwearable items will enter the recycling process. Partner companies donate new garments in return, creating a closed loop of charity and commerce.
Operationally, collection bins have been placed at all PTT outlets nationwide. Collected textiles are first registered, then transported to sorting centers where they are categorized by type, fabric, and condition before disinfection. Wearable items are screened and sent to aid channels; unwearable ones go to recycling. The standardization of this process is unprecedented in the Middle East.
Industry Impact
For the textile industry, the real significance of Turkey's move is that it is building a government-backed infrastructure for used-clothing collection. Previously, collection relied heavily on brand-specific programs or charitable organizations, with limited scale and continuity. Postal outlets, as a naturally high-coverage network, can extend collection to township levels, greatly increasing density and stability.
This means a more predictable supply of raw materials for recycled fibers. Turkey is a major textile producer with stable market shares in cotton and home textiles in the Middle East and Europe. Once the collection system matures, it will directly supply local raw materials for recycled cotton and polyester production lines, reducing dependence on imported waste textiles. For buyers sourcing yarns and fabrics from Turkey, the cost of recycled fibers may decrease while conventional fiber costs may rise relatively.
Meanwhile, the model of partner companies donating new garments effectively creates a new B2B scenario: brands exchange new clothes for priority access to recycled raw materials or social responsibility credits. If this model scales, it could change traditional purchasing relationships between brands and recyclers.