Turkey's 'Zero Waste' Initiative Expands: State-Owned Outlets Become Textile Recycling Hubs, Accelerating Circular Economy

When old clothes are dropped into recycling bins at state-owned post offices, Turkey's 'Zero Waste' initiative is turning textile circular economy from an idea into a public service. The initiative recently launched a textile recycling campaign, placing clothing collection bins at all branches of state-owned postal service PTT and logistics centers nationwide. According to Zero Waste Foundation President Samet Ağırbaş, collected textiles are first registered, then transported to processing centers where they are sorted by type, fabric, condition, and reuse value, followed by disinfection. This design leverages existing public logistics networks to reduce collection costs. Sorted textiles follow two paths: wearable items are distributed through social aid channels, while unwearable textiles enter recycling processes where partner companies convert them into new products. Notably, the model incorporates a charity loop: partner companies receive recycled materials and donate new clothes to the foundation, which distributes them to those in need. Ağırbaş describes this as a 'social circular economy model with public benefit attributes.' The 'Zero Waste' project was initiated by First Lady Emine Erdoğan in 2017, aiming to reduce waste generation and improve resource efficiency. This textile campaign is its latest implementation. From an industry perspective, Turkey's move signals two key trends: textile recycling is shifting from grassroots efforts to government-led standardized infrastructure, and combining collection channels with postal/logistics systems significantly lowers participation barriers, potentially boosting recycling rates. This development sets a precedent for global textile sustainability. The EU is advancing its 'Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation,' which explicitly requires textiles to be designed for recyclability and sets stricter recycling targets. Although Turkey is not an EU member, its customs union with the bloc often aligns its policies with EU standards. For Chinese textile companies, especially exporters to European markets, three points merit attention: For buyers, monitor recycling regulations in export destinations and assess product recyclability requirements. For foreign trade companies, understand recycling infrastructure in target markets and explore partnerships with local recyclers; also, incorporate 'recyclability' assessments into product design, avoiding hard-to-separate blends to reduce compliance risks. Turkey's old-clothing bins may well become a symbol of accelerating global textile circular economy—a policy signal and a starting point for supply chain transformation.