A practical research to explain the importance of waste recycling and renewable energy generation for industrial production and sustainability

Purpose: As an indicator of economic growth, industrial production’s energy and raw material needs are subject to environmental studies. The link between the ecological harm caused by plastic waste and the concept of sustainable economic growth through renewable energy is a topic of current debate in the litera-ture. This research aims to discover whether there is a connection between plastic waste and production. Methodology: This paper investigates the links between plastic import, renewable energy generation, ex-port, and exchange rates on industrial output in Türkiye by using the ARDL Bounds Test and causality analysis for 2008:Q1-2023:Q3. Results: Research findings reveal that plastic waste import and export positively affect industrial output in the long run. While renewable energy generation decreases industrial production in the short run, it posi-tively affects industrial production in the long run. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the evaluation of renewable energy and circular economy opportunities to ensure sustainable economic growth, while underlining the transformation of threats into opportunities.