Will There Be a Price Increase on Plastic Bags? What Will Plastic Bag Prices Be in 2025?

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change is preparing to take a new step under the plastic bag charging regulation implemented since January 1, 2019, to control plastic waste pollution. In this context, a significant meeting was held at the ministry to review the current sale price of plastic bags, which is 25 kuruş.

Production costs for plastic bags have risen to 1.19 TL. The Plastic Bag Commission meeting, coordinated by the General Directorate of Environmental Management, saw participation from leading representatives of the sector. During the meeting, it was noted that the cost of a plastic bag for retailers has reached 1.19 TL. Additionally, it was mentioned that the current selling price of 25 kuruş has not shown the expected reducing effect on consumer behavior, and usage rates have been reported to have increased.

The majority of sector representatives expressed that the price needs to be increased. In line with these views, it was learned that the demands collected by the commission would be forwarded to Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and the plastic bag price for the new year would then be determined.

Achievements from the charging of plastic bags include the prevention of 1.5 million tons of plastic waste formation between 2019 and 2024. This practice has resulted in the avoidance of the import of raw materials required for plastic bag production, leading to an approximate savings of 10.6 billion TL. Furthermore, it was emphasized that around 64,105 tons of greenhouse gas emissions have also been prevented.

Throughout this process, the implementation of charging for plastic bags has not only provided environmental benefits but has also significantly contributed economically to the country. In addition to the billions of lira saved, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has made substantial contributions to the fight against climate change.