Plastic waste is one of the leading contributors to environmental pollution. Biodegradable bags, developed as a solution to this crisis, offer a nature-compatible, local, and solution-oriented alternative. However, this transformation progresses slowly when not supported by the right environmental policies.
Sunar NP provides a concrete contribution to sustainability with bags developed from biodegradable raw materials derived from corn starch. These eco-friendly bags, which decompose in nature and return to the soil within 180 days, stand out among the innovative solutions produced against the plastic waste crisis in Turkey.
The bags developed by the company reached over 4 million consumers through supermarket chains last year. Additionally, domestic airlines have begun using these products as blanket wraps and service bags.
Our Sunar NP General Manager, Hakan Yüzer, highlighted the environmental impact of the product, stating: “With this technology, we both protect the environment and contribute to the national economy by reducing dependency on imports. However, for eco-friendly products to become widespread, it is essential that regulations are updated.”
Call for Legislative Update: Bio-Products Should Be Evaluated Separately
Currently, biodegradable bags are evaluated on the same legal grounds as plastic bags and are subject to the GEKAP (Recovery Share) obligation. Furthermore, charging an equal fee of 50 kuras under pricing regulations causes eco-friendly options to be at a disadvantage.
Yüzer made the following appeal to regulatory institutions: “The progress of bio-based products, which are starting to become widespread in Turkey, should not be hindered by categorizing them the same as plastics. A specific distinction should be made for biodegradable products in GEKAP and similar environmental policies.”
