Turkey, which became Europe's biggest plastic waste destination after China's 2018 import ban, receives around 241 trucks of foreign garbage every day. Experts warn that most of the imported plastics cannot be recycled and poison the soil.
HALKWEB / DILEK BOZKURT Turkey's dramatic rise in plastic waste imports has reignited the debate on environmental sustainability and public health. Field research based on data from Eurostat and various environmental organizations shows that Turkey is at risk of becoming “Europe's garbage dump”.
Hundreds of Trucks of Plastic Waste Arriving Every Day
Official data and reports by environmental organizations such as Greenpeace prove that the amount of waste entering Turkey has reached gigantic proportions. According to recent data, approximately 150 to 241 truckloads of plastic waste enter Turkey every day. The main source of this waste is industrialized European countries such as the UK, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
China Closes Doors, Route Turns to Turkey
This shift in the global waste trade started in 2018 when China banned the import of plastic waste (National Sword policy) to combat environmental pollution. Following this decision, European countries directed their plastic waste to countries like Turkey to avoid disposal costs.
%60’ı Dönüştürülemiyor: Çöp Doğaya Bırakılıyor
İthal edilen plastiklerin verimliliği konusundaki veriler ise endişe verici. Uzman görüşleri ve çevre raporları, Türkiye’ye giren plastiklerin %40-60 bandındaki büyük bir bölümünün geri dönüştürülebilir nitelikte olmadığını belirtiyor. Ekonomik değeri olmayan bu atıkların bir kısmı yakılırken, bir kısmı ise yasa dışı şekilde doğaya bırakılıyor.
“Carcinogen” Alarm in Soil
Scientists have shown that this uncontrolled process has come at a heavy price. In areas where waste is incinerated, levels of carcinogens in the soil have been found to be hundreds of thousands of times higher than normal levels. This poses a direct threat to farmland and public health.
Environmental Organizations Call for “Total Ban”
In the wake of the current situation, environmental organizations and activists are demanding the strengthening of domestic recycling policies and a complete ban on plastic waste imports. They call for urgent inspections and policy changes to prevent Turkey from becoming Europe's plastic garbage dump.
News Bibliography:
Ministry of Environment and Urbanization Import Data
Eurostat (European Statistical Office) Waste Export Reports
Greenpeace Mediterranean “Turkey should not become a plastic garbage dump” Campaign Data
Academic Field Research (Soil Analysis Results)