GEKAP (Turkish recovery contribution fee)

GEKAP (Geri Kazanım Katılım Payı, "recovery contribution share") is a statutory fee in Turkey, introduced under the Environment Law and applied since the start of 2020. Businesses placing certain products, including packaging, on the Turkish market pay it to help fund the collection and recovery of the resulting waste, in line with the polluter-pays and extended producer responsibility principles.

Scope

The law lists product groups such as packaging (by material type, for example plastic, metal, glass, paper and composite), plastic carrier bags at retail, tyres, batteries, electrical and electronic equipment and lubricants. For packaging, amounts are generally set per kilogram by material and updated every year.

Who pays

For packaging, the obligation generally falls on the business or importer that places the packed product on the market, so a brand filling pouches bought from a converter may be the liable party. Declaration periods, exemptions and reductions, including provisions for companies meeting recovery obligations through authorised organisations, are set out in detail and can change. Get advice from your accountant.

Link to pack design

Because the fee depends on weight and material, lighter films with the right thickness reduce both material and GEKAP costs. Ask your supplier for the packaging weight per pouch to support accurate declarations. Lighter, recyclable designs can bring both environmental and financial benefits.

This entry is general information; check current official guidance for rates and obligations.