Since China banned most waste imports in 2018, Türkiye has become a leading destination for plastic waste from Europe, particularly the European Union and the United Kingdom. This cross-border investigation examines what happens after that waste arrives in southern Türkiye, focusing on Adana and nearby coastal areas.
Trade data shows Türkiye imported 677,663 tonnes of plastic waste in 2024, much of it destined to the Adana province, where 180 licensed waste facilities deal with plastic. While some materials are recycled, field reporting and interviews indicate that a substantial share — especially low-value or multilayer plastics — is discarded, burnt or left exposed. Shredded fragments were documented in irrigation canals, wetlands and riverbanks, from where they can be carried by rain or tides to the Mediterranean Sea.
These polluted waterways flow through agricultural land and ecologically sensitive habitats that serve as nesting grounds for green turtles and support numerous bird species and rare cartilaginous fish. At the same time, small-scale fishing communities, already under pressure from declining catches and mounting contamination, are increasingly abandoning these polluted shores.
The findings come as the new EU waste shipment regulation will prohibit exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries from Nov. 21, 2026, until at least May 21, 2029. But since Türkiye is an OECD member and already the bloc’s largest recipient, shipments there might increase further, raising concerns among residents and environmental groups who are calling for a complete import ban.
Key findings
- Although plastic waste exports from the EU to non-EU countries have nearly halved compared to their 2009-2016 peak, shipments to Türkiye have increased significantly since 2017. In 2024 alone, Türkiye imported 677,663 tonnes of plastic waste, mostly from EU countries and the UK. Around 60% of this imported plastic is estimated to end up in the Adana region.
- Field evidence suggests that a significant portion of this waste is dumped, burnt or mismanaged rather than recycled. Plastic fragments have been documented in waterways flowing into the Mediterranean, while local communities report environmental damage and health concerns linked to waste handling.
- Recent EU regulatory changes might shift even more plastic waste flows toward Türkiye, despite the introduction of stricter procedures.
The investigation combined data analysis, field reporting, photography and interviews with residents, researchers, environmental activists, local communities and industry stakeholders.
