# Turkey plastic waste influx and response

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-plastic-waste-influx-and-response
> Updated: 2026-08-04T11:33:47.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

In early August 2026 a report showed the EU sent a record 503,000 tonnes of plastic waste to Turkey in 2025, a 19 % rise and a 435‑fold increase since 2004. Greenpeace Turkey warned the surge overwhelms recycling capacity, risks uncontrolled burning or burial, and threatens public health through micro‑plastic contamination.

A few days later the Zero Waste Foundation released a national plastic‑waste report in Istanbul, noting Turkey’s per‑capita waste generation is well above the world average. Istanbul’s governor announced a large‑scale Plastic Waste Workshop (31 August–1 September) with government agencies, universities, NGOs and experts to develop a Plastic Action Plan.

On 4 August 2026, further analysis highlighted that in 2024 Turkey received more than 500,000 tonnes from the EU and 139,000 tonnes from the United Kingdom. Testing of irrigation canals near Adana revealed high micro‑plastic concentrations that could affect the fertile Çukurova plain, raising concerns about crop yields and food‑safety. Activists and scholars described the imports as “waste colonialism,” and marine biologist Sedat Gündoğdu called for a total ban on plastic‑waste imports, criticizing the UK’s lack of an export ban. The findings broaden health and environmental worries to agriculture, reinforcing calls for stricter controls and a comprehensive national response.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Turkey faces surge in plastic waste imports harming agriculture

Turkey received over 500,000 t of EU plastic waste and 139,000 t from the UK in 2024, with microplastics contaminating irrigation canals in Adana’s Çukurova plain, prompting calls for an import ban.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-faces-surge-in-plastic-waste-imports-harming-agriculture

### 2026-08-04: Zero Waste Foundation Presents Plastic Waste Report in Istanbul

Turkey’s Zero Waste Foundation released a Plastic Waste Report showing plastic use doubling globally and Turkey’s per‑capita waste 44.9% above world average; Istanbul Governor called the issue a national‑secure

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zero-waste-foundation-presents-plastic-waste-report-in-istanbul

### 2026-08-01: Turkey receives record 503,000 tonnes of EU plastic waste in 2025

EU plastic waste to Turkey hit a 2025 record of 503,000 tonnes, a 19% rise and 435‑fold increase since 2004, sparking Greenpeace and UN warnings about recycling strain, micro‑plastics, and health risks; calls a

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-receives-record-503000-tonnes-of-eu-plastic-waste-in-2025

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Cite as: Turkey plastic waste influx and response. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-plastic-waste-influx-and-response