BY MERVE YIGITCAN
The ban on the import of polyethylene waste, which caused huge controversy, is being lifted with stricter inspection practices. Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu hosted a meeting, according to sources, at which Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Hasan Buyukdede and Deputy Minister of Environment and Urbanization Mehmet Emin Birpinar were present. The officials discussed the final version of the draft regulation on the import of plastic waste with the representatives NGOs such as Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO), Turkish Plastics Industrialists Research Development and Education Foundation (PAGEV), Plastics Industrialists’ Federation (PLASFED), Plastics Industrialists’ Association (PAGDER) and Recycling Association. A great deal of emphasis was placed on the inadequacy of inspections in the previous discussions on the issue. Sources said that the draft includes some strict control measures, such as reviewing all licenses of the current 1,350 recycling companies. A letter of guarantee will be required in order to prevent abuse in waste imports. The letter of guarantee, which is claimed to have a condition of TRY 100 per tonne, is also planned to prevent companies operating under the table.
