European waste dump pollutes Turkish Mediterranean beaches

Turkish coastal towns are confronting a severe pollution problem as large quantities of waste imported from Europe are processed in facilities on the Mediterranean, especially in the provinces of Mersin and Adana. Local officials say that residues from the treatment plants are being discharged directly into the sea, creating an “industrial disaster” that threatens marine ecosystems and tourism.

The municipal representative of Alanya, Haydar Uyara, reported that the waste arrives through several ports and that cleaning operations on the beaches are insufficient. He called for stronger controls on waste imports and a shift away from the current recycling practices that lead to marine dumping. Environmental experts also stress that the problem cannot be solved by beach clean‑ups alone and that policy changes are needed to prevent further damage.