Mediterranean Sea faces rising plastic pollution from rivers

Plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea is being driven largely by land-based activities, specifically through rivers that transport waste into the sea. Prof. Dr. Barış Salihoğlu of Middle East Technical University (METU) noted that currents, such as the Little Asian Current, move these pollutants from east to west, affecting coasts from Mersin and Antalya to Muğla.

In response to the growing threat of microplastics, the Mediterranean Environment Platform has announced an action plan. This includes the ‘Project Blue’ campaign, which aims to separate household waste at the source and conduct regular sea and beach cleanups using canoes and SUPs over a three-year period.

The platform is also pursuing international legal action. A comprehensive complaint report is being prepared for the United Nations and the European Commission. The report alleges that waste brokers exporting waste to Turkey, along with certain foreign brands and European institutions, are violating environmental law obligations. Legal professionals are being called upon to initiate proceedings in international courts.