Plastic waste warning from Minister of Culture and Tourism Ersoy at Zero Waste Workshop
Drawing attention to the globally increasing plastic pollution, Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that no time should be lost in waste management.
Participating in the Zero Waste Workshop held in Istanbul, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized that urgent measures must be taken against the global threat posed by plastic waste.
Statements Made at the Workshop
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the Zero Waste Workshop held in Istanbul and made important evaluations.
In his speech at the meeting, Minister Ersoy wished God's mercy upon those who lost their lives due to the capsizing of a passenger ship operating on the Kyrenia-Tasucu route.
Global Environmental Issues
Stating that the world is going through a period of very major and difficult changes, Ersoy noted that wars and crises overshadow the existential problems of the planet.
It was pointed out that environmental pollution, destruction of forest areas, and the climate crisis have the potential to make the world uninhabitable.
Massive Increase in Plastic Production
It was reported that plastic production has increased approximately 230-fold over the last 70 years, exceeding 460 million tons.
It was announced that the total level of plastic waste worldwide has reached 353 million tons.
Recycling Rates
It was stated that only 9 percent of plastic waste is recycled, 19 percent is incinerated, and 50 percent is landfilled.
It was conveyed that 22 percent of the waste mixes into the environment in an uncontrolled manner and approximately 78 million tons of plastic poison nature.
Turkey's Targets
It was announced that Turkey has increased its recovery rate from 13 percent to 37.53 percent in the last 8 years with the Zero Waste approach.
It was noted that the recovery rate is targeted to be raised to 60 percent by 2035 and 70 percent by 2053.