# Turkey waste management and emissions scrutiny

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-waste-management-and-emissions-scrutiny
> Updated: 2026-11-10T09:41:11.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

Turkey has faced international scrutiny regarding its management of plastic waste and methane emissions from landfills. Reports indicate the country receives hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste from the European Union and the United Kingdom, leading to allegations of “waste colonialism” by some media outlets. An EU document noted that only 10 percent of plastic waste in Turkey is recycled, prompting European Commission officials to suggest that plastic waste exports could be suspended if environmental issues are not addressed.

Additionally, satellite data from researchers at Carbon Mapper and UCLA identified substantial methane leaks from Turkish landfills, such as the Seymen landfill near Istanbul. The Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change responded to the satellite findings by stating the data is insufficient to determine annual emission totals. The Ministry also noted that recycling rates under its Zero Waste program have increased from 13 percent in 2017 to over 37 percent.

In response to allegations that Europe is dumping waste in Turkey, the Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) issued a formal denial, characterizing claims as “heavy manipulation and a malicious perception study.”

During the COP31 UN Climate Conference in Antalya, Macit Karaahmetoğlu, a member of the German Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee, warned of the environmental and health impacts of these exports. He noted that in 2025, approximately 500,000 tonnes of plastic waste were sent to Turkey, representing more than one third of the EU’s plastic waste exports. Karaahmetoğlu cited studies in the Adana region where microplastic concentrations downstream from recycling facilities were up to 132 times higher than upstream, posing threats to agriculture and the food chain.

## Claims

- More than one third of the European Union's plastic waste exports go to Turkey. (reported by 3 sources)
- In 2025, approximately 500,000 tonnes of plastic waste were exported to Turkey. (reported by 3 sources)
- Turkey became a major recipient of European plastic waste after China introduced import restrictions in 2018. (reported by 3 sources)
- Microplastic concentrations downstream from certain recycling plants in Adana were up to 132 times higher than upstream. (reported by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-10: German politician warns against plastic waste exports to Turkey

German SPD politician Macit Karaahmetoğlu warns that Turkey is becoming Europe's plastic waste dumping ground, citing high microplastic levels in Adana.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-politician-warns-against-plastic-waste-exports-to-turkey

### 2026-11-08: Turkey faces scrutiny over methane emissions and plastic waste imports

Turkey faces pressure over high methane emissions from landfills and the large-scale import of plastic waste from the EU and UK, prompting potential EU export suspensions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-faces-scrutiny-over-methane-emissions-and-plastic-waste-imports

### 2026-10-20: Turkey denies claims of importing European waste

Turkey's Center for Combating Disinformation denied claims that the country is receiving European waste, stating only clean, source-separated materials for industrial use are permitted.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-denies-claims-of-importing-european-waste

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Cite as: Turkey waste management and emissions scrutiny. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-waste-management-and-emissions-scrutiny