The European Commission has warned that if Turkey does not address the environmental issues arising from plastic waste management, the export of this waste to the country may be prohibited.
Assessments by the European Commission
This warning was issued after an assessment showed that plastic waste management in Turkey may lead to violations of European Union laws. According to this assessment, only about 10 percent of plastic waste in Turkey is recycled, and most of this waste is sent to landfills or managed improperly.
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An official from the European Commission stated: "If adequate responses or measures are not taken by Turkish authorities, the Commission may initiate the process of suspending plastic waste exports to Turkey." However, this official also noted that despite these findings, the Commission is currently not deciding to suspend exports and continues to engage with Turkish authorities.
Impacts on the Plastic Waste Market
Last year, Turkey imported about 510,000 tons of plastic waste from the European Union, equivalent to about 25 billion 500-milliliter beverage bottles. The country accounts for 70 percent of the plastic waste exported to OECD countries and 36 percent of all plastic waste exported.
According to new regulations, the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries will be generally prohibited starting November 21. This may direct plastic waste towards OECD countries like Turkey. Therefore, the Commission has emphasized the importance of understanding the situation and strengthening cooperation with Turkey to prevent environmental issues.
Non-OECD countries that demonstrate they can manage waste sustainably may apply for an exemption from this law. The list of countries applying for exemptions is expected to be published in the coming days, and the Commission is required to approve this list by November.
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