Turkey reveals strategies for reducing single-use plastics and combating marine pollution
Turkey Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Combat Plastic Waste and Marine Pollution
Turkey has announced a comprehensive "Single-Use Plastics, Marine Litter, and Microplastics Roadmap" aimed at reducing plastic waste, curbing marine litter, and limiting microplastics pollution. The plan, which spans short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets, will be implemented over the next several years.
Short-term (2025-2027) Actions
The short-term plan focuses on reducing the consumption of food packaging and beverage containers. Key actions include:
- Preparation and implementation of a National Plastic Strategy and Action Plan.
- Introduction of legislation to restrict or ban specific single-use plastic items, such as food packaging and beverage containers.
- Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, requiring producers to fund recycling and manage waste, including mandatory redesign of beverage bottles and caps to incorporate recycled material and remain attached.
- Encouragement of the hospitality and tourism sectors to adopt reusable and refillable packaging through voluntary programs.
- Launch of public awareness campaigns targeting all age groups, involving government, NGOs, private sector, and municipalities.
Medium- and Long-term Goals
Medium- and long-term targets focus on aligning Turkey’s waste management policies with EU standards, promoting circular economy principles, enhancing marine litter monitoring and collection programs, improving regulations on microplastic-containing products, and expanding sustainable production techniques.
Coordinated Effort
The roadmap is a coordinated effort across 22 public institutions led by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The plan aims to transition Turkey's plastics industry towards sustainability while protecting marine ecosystems and public health.
Some of the notable actions include:
- Strengthening technical capacity to address microplastics in public institutions, academia, the private sector, and NGOs in Turkey.
- Developing a marine monitoring program in Turkey and identifying pollution "hotspots."
- Introducing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes requiring the plastics industry to meet production-stage obligations.
- Focusing research and development on designing reusable and refillable alternatives made from recycled materials in Turkey.
- Revising Turkey's Packaging Waste Control Regulation to align with E.U. rules.
- Expanding circular business models such as reuse and refill systems in Turkey.
- Banning certain products containing microbeads, such as lip and nail products, in Turkey.
- Ensuring biodegradability and compostability tests meet international standards in Turkey.
- Mapping and monitoring microplastic sources in Turkey.
Historic Step Towards a Circular Economy
Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum stated that the plan is a historic step towards a circular economy and zero waste vision. The plan also includes encouraging hotels, restaurants, cafes, and the tourism sector to adopt reusable and refillable alternatives.
With this comprehensive roadmap, Turkey aims to significantly reduce plastic waste, combat marine pollution, and foster a more sustainable future for its citizens and marine ecosystems.
- The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, along with 21 other public institutions in Turkiye, have developed a comprehensive plan titled "Single-Use Plastics, Marine Litter, and Microplastics Roadmap" to combat plastic waste, marine pollution, and limit microplastics pollution.
- The plan, encompassing short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets, aims to transition Turkey's plastics industry towards sustainability while protecting marine ecosystems and public health.
- In the medium- and long-term, Turkey aims to align its waste management policies with European Union standards, foster circular economy principles, and enhance marine litter monitoring and collection programs.
- To achieve these goals, the plan will implement measures such as introducing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, focusing research and development on reusable and refillable alternatives, and revising packaging waste control regulations to align with European Union rules.
