Turkey
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Country Overview
TEXTILE WASTE
Post consumer textile waste
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pre consumer textile waste
Post Industrial textile waste
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Imported textile waste
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KEY POINTS ON T&a LANDSCAPE
Türkiye as a strategic nearshoring hub for EU apparel brands
US$ 19.47 BN
Value of Clothing Exports (2022)
Sitting at the crossroads of the EU and Asia, Türkiye is the world’s 7th largest textile exporter and the 3rd largest supplier to the EU, serving key markets like Germany, Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands. It exports 60% of its apparel production while also meeting strong domestic demand. With agile manufacturing and flexible sourcing—from small batches to large-scale orders—it is a key nearshoring hub for EU brands seeking speed, responsiveness, and lower inventory risk. Major brands sourcing from Türkiye include Mango, Gap, H&M, and Levi’s.
Türkiye as a full-package apparel supplier with growing design capabilities
Many firms are vertically integrated providing services from design to finished product. Turkish manufacturers not only provide OEM - ( producing garments to buyer's specifications ) but also increasing activeness in ODM, contributing their own design R&D and product development expertise for global brands. Vertical integration also proves fruitful to provide an internal source for key raw materials and slashing out production lead time and delivery delays.
Cotton apparel boom amid water scarcity challenges
$2.22 BN
Cotton Export
$2.76 BN
Cotton Import
Türkiye is seventh-largest producer of cotton and third-largest exporter of cotton apparel in the world. In 2021, $18.3 billion worth of apparel were exported, with approximately 60 percent of it being cotton apparel. Turkey as the country has been classified as a ‘water-scarce’ nation, which in turn is affecting the cotton farming.
Türkiye's emerging role in circular textile infrastructure for the EU
55-60%
Share of Cotton Rich Waste in Türkiye's Textile Waste Stream
With expertise in mechanical recycling and a vertically integrated production system, Türkiye offers a strong foundation for circular textile infrastructure and has emerged as a preferred nearshoring recycling hub for European clothing brands and retailers. While post-industrial textile waste is efficiently managed, post-consumer waste remains largely untapped due to limited collection and recycling systems.
waste cost
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Other Notes
- Uşak stands as a central hub for textile recycling due to its large number of recycled fiber and yarn manufacturers that process discarded textiles.
- 85% of Türkiye’s textile waste is recycled in Uşak
- Post-industrial waste is well-managed, but post-consumer textile waste remains largely untapped, with limited collection and recycling systems.
production clusters
Key regions with fibre production:
Kayseriᴬ, Adanaᴮ, Osmaniyeᶜ, Hatayᴰ, Kilisᴱ, Gaziantepᶠ, Kahramanmarasᴳ, Malatyaᴴ, Adiyamanᴵ
Key regions with apparel production:
Izmirᴬ, Bursaᴮ, Ankaraᶜ, Denizliᴰ, Gaziantepᴱ, Kayseriᶠ, Tekirdagᴳ, Adiyamanᴴ, Kahramanmarasᴵ and Adanaᴶ
Other Notes
- Social Responsibility and Workforce in Turkish manufacturing - The Turkish textile and apparel sector employs 7% of registered workers and 65% of manufacturing jobs, with women comprising 41% of the workforce—well above the national average. Its strong labor standards and social compliance align with EU expectations, appealing to brands focused on ethical sourcing.
- Turkish clothing manufacturers are implementing sustainable production, international standards and blockchain technology for transparency as a response to rising demand for eco-friendly fashion. Simultaneously, the Turkish government is aligning regulations with the EU Green Deal, making the country an attractive nearshoring destination for European brands.
- Major apparel manufacturers include - Akcakaya Textile, Konsey Textile, Zeria Textile and fibre producers like Kipas Textile, Gurteks and Kaynak Group
Waste regulation
Communiqué No. 2025/18 on the Inspection of Certain Textile, Garment and Leather Products
Effective January 2025, this Turkish regulation introduces stricter product safety and compliance requirements for the import of textiles, apparel, and footwear. It mandates that importers declare listed products through the TAREKS system, ensure compliance with Turkish safety standards, and provide required documentation. The regulation includes risk-based inspections, with potential chemical and mechanical testing for high-risk items such as children’s clothing, footwear, and leather goods.
Zero Waste campaign
Launched in 2017 by the Turkish Red Crescent, this nationwide initiative promotes waste prevention and sustainable resource use. Backed by the 2019 Zero Waste By-law, it aims to raise textile recycling rates to 35% within five years by building a national collection and recycling system for unused or discarded textiles, including material recovery from used garments.
The Turkish Textile Industry Sustainability Action Plan (2021 & Beyond)
Spearheaded by İTHİB and TİM, this initiative aligns the sector with the European Green Deal and global sustainability goals. It targets 55% textile waste recycling by 2025 and 65% by 2035, focusing on sustainable sourcing, resource efficiency, circularity, and industry-wide collaboration across 12 action areas including digitalization, financing, and green skills development.
EBRD Near Zero Waste (NØW) Program
Offers concessional financing and technical assistance for waste minimization and pollution control in textile production.
Turkish Eximbank Green Export Credit ($300M)
Provides favorable loan terms to exporters implementing eco-friendly manufacturing.
Circular Economy Platform
It is a national initiative launched by Business Council for Sustainable Development Turkey and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development a ( EBRD ) to accelerate the transition to a circular economy model. It offers tools such as a digital marketplace, knowledge hub, measurement and training resources, financial incentives, and consultancy to help businesses develop circular practices and investments.
Waste trade
Annual Import quantity (HS 6309 + HS 6310 )
Annual Export quantity (HS 6309 + HS 6310 )
Other Notes
- Under Clause 7 of Turkey’s Import Regime Decision, the import of used clothing, rags, and textile waste is generally prohibited to protect domestic production. However, exceptions are allowed under the Inward Processing Regime for non-final used textile inputs (e.g., clipped fibers) intended solely for export-oriented production. The Ministry of Trade has also permitted the import of certain recycled polyester fibers and synthetic yarns, aligning with sustainability goals.
- Recycling of post consumer waste from EU serves as a big business area in established recycling production sites of GAMA Iplik, Else Bornewa, Kale Iplik, Dünya Iplik, Kipas, ISKO, Bossa.
green energy
12.02%
Share of modern renewables in final energy consumption (2021)
Renewable electricity generation by source- 48.7% Hydro, 26 % Wind Power Plant, 16.8% solar, 8.5 % geothermal
Other Notes
Some of the regulatory mechanisms around green energy are as follows:
- Green Transformation Grant Program: This program supports the textile and RMG sectors in transitioning to a green economy through a 10 million lira grant pool and credit access via Eximbank, TÜBİTAK, and others. It promotes sustainability and competitiveness by incentivizing green investments.
- KOSGEB SME Grants & Loans: The program provides SMEs with interest-free loans, grants, and guarantees for innovation, R&D, and green transformation, supporting sustainable growth. It also offers special support for businesses lacking collateral or aiming to expand responsibly.
