Turkey Mediterranean waste pollution crackdown

Following July 2026 reports of large volumes of imported waste polluting Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change launched inspections in early August. Inspectors examined 491 sites across Adana, Antalya, Hatay, Mersin and Muğla, fining 22 facilities for a total of roughly 47 million lira, with the Seyhan Wastewater Treatment Plant receiving the highest sanction. Local officials warned that micro‑plastic contamination threatens the tourism sector, and an inter‑ministerial workshop on mitigation was announced.

On 7 August, scientists documented severe micro‑plastic pollution at Antalya’s Konyaaltı Beach and the Alanya shoreline. Researchers observed visible “dust‑like” plastic particles and warned of health risks from attached microorganisms. The study traced the source to massive imports of plastic waste – over 70,000 tonnes per month in April 2026 – far exceeding Turkey’s recycling capacity of about 1.1 million tonnes per year. Heavy rains, river runoff and Mediterranean currents concentrate the debris along the Alanya coast, while fires at recycling plants have risen sharply. The Dim River was noted as a relatively clean contributor. The ministry confirmed that inspections will continue, building on the 39 checks already completed, to curb further micro‑plastic releases and protect coastal ecosystems.