The UK was also the largest exporter of waste to Türkiye worldwide in 2023, with 140,907 tonnes sent to the country compared to 87,900 the previous year.
The increase comes after figures temporarily saw a decrease in 2022.
Greenpeace said that its analysis suggests that the decrease was “a temporary blip”. The available data for 2024 is currently showing a continued acceleration in waste exports from the UK to Türkiye.
Türkiye is currently the leading destination for plastic waste exports from European countries. This is attributed to China banning plastic waste imports in 2018, which was followed by bans in other countries in East and Southeast Asia.
The Global Plastics Treaty
The Greenpeace analysis comes ahead of the final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty in Busan, South Korea, at the end of November.
The treaty aims to create a legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040.
Greenpeace said that the conclusion of the most recent round of negotiations in April 2024 was “marked by disappointment”.
Calls for action on UK waste exports
Greenpeace Türkiye has urged the UK and other European nations to stop sending their plastic waste to Türkiye and is calling on its Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change, as well as all relevant authorities, to take urgent action for a robust Global Plastics Treaty.
Greenpeace Türkiye’s plastics campaign lead, Nihan Temiz Ataş, said: “Following the release of our joint research report with Greenpeace UK in 2021, ‘Game of Waste,’ there was an immediate ban and a significant reduction in waste exports from the UK to Türkiye. So, why are these exports increasing again? Our field research has shown that Türkiye’s soil, air, and water have been irreversibly contaminated by imported plastic waste. We call on the UK government to ensure full transparency and take full responsibility for managing its own waste.
“The Global Plastics Treaty presents our greatest opportunity to end Türkiye’s role in Europe’s plastic waste trade. If the treaty is strong enough, it could ensure concrete steps to prevent plastic pollution at every stage, from production to disposal. The reality is that plastic waste exports are proof that developed countries are shifting their burden to vulnerable, developing nations rather than addressing the issue at the source. For five years, Türkiye has become Europe’s dumping ground, and we can no longer bear this load. We demand a Global Plastics Treaty that completely bans plastic waste imports.”
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