Following its recent announcement of a new UAE location, Vanden Recycling has opened an office in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Turkish arm, trading as Vanden Polimer Geri Donusum A.S., will be led by Derya Eksi, who joins the recycling firm having worked within the plastics raw materials industry for more than 13 years. He will support Vanden Recycling in identifying and negotiating new supply sources for the polymer market.  

‘‘Our goal in Turkey is to help the local plastics manufacturing market increase its use of recycled content. Vanden will provide access to international markets for recycled resins and products made in Turkey,” said Vanden Recycling’s chief executive Damien van Leuven. 

Turkey has displayed great initiative when it comes to waste management, most noticeably with the launch of the Zero Waste Project. Turkey’s current recycling rate is 13 per cent and the project aims to take this up to 35 per cent by 2023.  

“Creating public consciousness is a top priority” says Derya. “There is a strong belief in Turkey that plastics scrap is a waste material, when in reality it can be treated as a valuable raw material.”