Ahmet Varir, manager of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's Zero Waste Department said: "We saw a drop by 70% in certain areas. Consumers seem to have responded positively to the first day of regulation."
Varir stated that there are both positive and negative responses to the new regulation which introduced paid plastic bags in supermarkets.
Having already received the first results of the new regulation, Varir said: "Supermarkets that used to provide 100 units of plastic bags to the customers, saw a decrease by more than half. In the coming days, we aim to further decrease the consumption of plastic bags. Due to the consumers' positive response on the first day, in certain areas we see a decrease by 70%. Once we gather more data that would consist of 10 to 15 days, we can provide firmer results."
"I don't need the bag"
Omur Yurtseven, a supermarket manager says that they haven't seen a negative response to the new regulation.
Yurtseven said that, starting January 1, people started to bring their own bags, or old plastic bags with them. "People welcomed the idea once we explained to those who haven't heard about it before. It is a good regulation. People used to get the bags even if they didn't need them. Now it is much more efficient and I hope it continues like this." he added.
Aybuke Gunes, cashier at a supermarket affirmed that people do not choose to pay for plastic bags. She said that the answer to the question "would you like a bag?" has been negative so far. Gunes quoted people who now say: "I don't need to bag, I can take them to my car."
Both content and discontent with the new regulation
Neriman Gocmen, a consumer suggested that supermarkets should offer paid shopping nets rather than paid plastic bags.
Muhammed Guler, another consumer indicated that they did not like the new regulation and said: "They're officially ripping people's money off. Because of this regulation, we had to buy wholesale plastic bags. We also use them now as garbage bags at home" he said.
