Plastic waste from Germany and the UK has turned Turkey into a dumping ground
The massive plastic waste burden from Germany and the United Kingdom has been adding new environmental problems to Turkey in recent years.
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In 2025, the amount of plastic waste exported from Germany exceeded 810 thousand tons, placing Germany at the top of the list globally in this field. The United Kingdom followed in second place with 675 thousand tons. A significant portion of this plastic waste originating from Europe reaches Turkey. Malaysia and Indonesia are also among the countries where Europe's plastic waste is frequently sent.
Experts point out that the redirection of plastics generated in Europe to Turkey for storage and recycling is causing various problems. Risks such as the improper processing of waste, illegal dumping, and the violation of labor rights are increasing in Turkey, creating an alarming situation for both the environment and human health.
Turkey produces approximately 3.3 million tons of plastic waste annually and faces a burden far exceeding its current recycling capacity. The additional amount of waste arriving from European countries further increases the pressure on the existing system.
The EU plans to ban the export of plastic waste to non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries starting in 2026. However, experts emphasize their concern that Turkey could lead the list of countries to which waste within the EU might be redirected. The high waste exports from Germany and the UK are pushing Turkey among the countries that receive the most plastic waste in Europe.