In a world where energy sources are limited and the effects of climate change are visible, the significance of recycling is indisputable. 

As one of Europe's biggest waste producers, Turkey is in desperate need to boost recycling efforts, and the government has launched several initiatives. One of those initiatives was launched in Istanbul – a city with a population of over 15 million.

Istanbul's Metropolitan Municipality has recently installed a “reverse vending machine” at the Maslak Metro station to boost the city's recycling efforts and to increase awareness on the issue. The station is one of its busiest stops as it's located at the heart of the business district and across the gate of the Istanbul Technical University's entrance, making it a frequent stop for business people and students.

The system is simple: passengers insert plastic bottles or cans into the machines, which calculate its value according to the material and size. The value is then added as credit to the passengers' Istanbul metro card. A few dozen bottles, and voila – the passenger enjoys a free ride.

Though the machine was just installed in mid-October, many locals have already started to use them frequently. Students line up to use the machine as they come for class, while older adults were seen with bags full of bottles they've collected during the week.

Gulsen, a Turkish citizen, said she's always been against throwing away trash and has “been collecting waste at work, even from trash cans.” She said she welcomes the initiative and that she believes the “machine is beneficial for our economy as well as the environment.”

A non-profit foundation CEVKO has been working with companies in Turkey to create sustainable recycling systems. Secretary-General Mete Imer stressed that recycling is crucial for Turkey's economy, saying that “recycling means less fossil fuel, less water, less energy consumption. The re-use of packaging waste is beneficial because using recycled material instead of using raw material for new products means saving energy and saving raw material.” There's no doubt that Turkey is in need of such programs.

The UK-based consultancy group Expert Market has found that Turkish citizens are the most wasteful in Europe according to the amount of household and commercial waste that goes directly to landfills. The CEVKO Foundation stresses that Turkey should shift towards a different economic model. 

Imer said, “Instead of using linear economy where we produce, use and throw away, we should move to a circular economy where we produce, and then later reuse the resources in production again.” This is also something the EU is aiming for.

Although the reverse vending machines have been in use for years in countries like China and Japan – the idea is still a fresh one for Turkey… one that is welcomed by a society that certainly needs more such initiatives to make recycling an everyday habit.