Aydın Tiryaki (2026)

In an era dominated by the rapid growth of “quick commerce” and home delivery services, the management of packaging waste has become a critical challenge. However, this vast delivery infrastructure offers a unique opportunity for “Reverse Logistics.” This model proposes a system where the existing delivery network is utilized to collect packaging and electronic waste directly from the doorstep, transforming “trash” into a valuable “deposit” that directly rewards the workforce.

1. The Paradigm Shift: From “Waste” to “Deposit”

The core of this model lies in a linguistic and psychological shift. Terms like “waste” or “trash” imply a loss of value. By reclassifying packaging and end-of-life products as “Deposits,” we redefine them as assets temporarily held by the consumer. This mindset encourages “returning an item of value” rather than simply “disposing of garbage,” fostering a higher sense of civic responsibility and material care.

2. The Multi-Layered Collection Strategy: Matching Volume with Velocity

To ensure operational efficiency, the system categorizes collection based on the capacity of the delivery vehicle:

• Micro-Layer (Motorcycle Couriers): Couriers delivering food or groceries collect cleaned plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and small packaging on their return trips. This utilizes the “empty leg” of the journey without hindering the courier’s agility.
• Macro-Layer (Cargo and Delivery Vans): Large-scale packaging, such as cardboard boxes from televisions or appliances, is collected by cargo vans or grocery delivery trucks. These vehicles have the necessary volume to transport large, high-quality cellulose materials without contamination.
• High-Value Layer (E-Waste): Defunct electronics—ranging from cables and phones to monitors—are integrated into the system. Due to their rare metal content, these items represent the highest economic value and provide the most significant financial return for the collector.

3. Empowerment of the Workforce: The “Tip Package”

The primary engine of this system is the direct incentivization of the delivery personnel.

• Financial Motivation: Every collected deposit is logged via a digital platform and priced based on current raw material market rates. At the end of each month, the total value is paid directly to the courier as a “Resource Tip Package.” * Socio-Professional Status: This transforms couriers from simple delivery drivers into “Urban Resource Managers.” It adds a layer of social purpose and environmental guardianship to their profession, enhancing their status within the community.

4. The Economics of Clean Raw Materials

Collecting materials directly from the home before they enter the municipal waste stream ensures “Zero Contamination.” The cost of processing clean, source-separated paper, plastic, and metal is significantly lower than traditional recycling methods. This efficiency makes the system financially self-sustaining through the sale of high-purity secondary raw materials to industries.

5. Socio-Political Realities and the Informal Sector

Implementing this model will inevitably disrupt the informal waste economy. Currently, high-income neighborhoods are the primary “mining grounds” for street collectors and the unregulated “waste barons” who manage them. Moving this value from the street to a digital, doorstep-based courier system will likely face resistance from these entrenched interests. Therefore, the system must be supported by local government regulations and integrated into official circular economy frameworks to ensure the safety and legitimacy of the couriers.

6. Conclusion

This model optimizes the “empty return trips” of the logistics industry, turning a logistical inefficiency into a source of wealth for the labor force. By rewarding the courier, saving the environment, and providing high-quality materials to the industry, this “Doorstep-to-Depot” model serves as a blueprint for the sustainable smart cities of the future.

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A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)