Mustafa Altunbilek

The use of plastic bags in markets and stores will be restricted across Turkey starting in 2018, the Turkish Retailers' Federation (TPF) announced on March 28, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

TPF head Mustafa Altunbilek said the decision was made in an effort to reduce waste, adding that they were planning to motivate customers to use cloth or other non-plastic bags.

A leading retail sector representative has requested a discount in value added taxes (VAT) for fruits, vegetables, red meat, legumes, bakery products and olive and olive oil products from 8 percent to 1 percent to boost the sector's growth level, create more employment and fuel consumption.