One fifth of Germany's plastic waste exports reached Turkey
According to Basel Action Network data, Germany sent approximately 20 percent of the 814 thousand tons of plastic waste it exported in 2025 to Turkey. Together with shipments originating from the European Union and Britain, the total amount of waste reaching Turkey exceeded 639 thousand tons.
Data from 2025 revealed that approximately 20 percent of the plastic waste exported by Germany was shipped to Turkey. While the total amount of waste coming from the European Union and Britain exceeded 639 thousand tons, inspections carried out in agricultural canals in Adana draw attention to microplastic pollution in the region.
Waste flow from Germany and Europe to Turkey
According to Basel Action Network (BAN) data, Germany ranked first in the world in 2025 by exporting 814 thousand tons of plastic waste. It is calculated that approximately 20 percent of this amount was sent to Turkey.
Plastic waste exports from European Union countries to Turkey showed a 19 percent increase compared to the previous year, exceeding the level of 500 thousand tons.
Shipments from Britain and the situation in Adana
Britain directed 139 thousand tons of its 675 thousand tons of plastic waste exports realized in 2025 to Turkey. When EU and British data are combined, the total waste coming to Turkey reaches 639 thousand tons.
Biologist Sedat Gündoğdu from Çukurova University and his team detected high concentrations of microplastic pollution in agricultural irrigation canals close to recycling facilities in Adana.
Legal regulations and sectoral perspective
The European Union is preparing to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD member countries as of November 21, 2026. Since Turkey is an OECD member, it does not fall directly within the scope of this restriction.
While environmental organizations are concerned about waste heading towards Turkey, the government and the Turkish Plastics Industry Association defend waste imports in terms of raw material needs and employment.