Saadet Party official calls for stricter plastic waste import controls

Mehmet Zahit Tokgöz, the Sivas Provincial Chairman of the Saadet Party, has called for stricter inspections regarding the import of plastic waste into Turkey. He noted that in 2025, 503,000 tons of plastic waste were sent to Turkey from European Union countries.

Tokgöz argued that while recycling is necessary, it is unsustainable for Turkey to carry the plastic waste burden of other nations, especially while domestic waste separation and recycling infrastructures still require significant improvement. He emphasized that environmental protection is a responsibility to both current and future generations.

To address these concerns, Tokgöz proposed the establishment of a much more rigorous inspection system to prevent the entry of dirty, mixed, or difficult-to-recycle plastics. He also called for increased transparency, suggesting that the public should be informed about which facilities receive imported waste, how much is recycled, and how the non-recyclable portions are disposed of.