The human rights organization Human Rights Watch is sounding the alarm: while more and more European plastic waste is being exported to Turkey, the danger to people and the environment is increasing. The reason: the Turkish authorities barely check whether the safety measures are observed and the working conditions at the landfills are appalling.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Turkey is currently the main recipient of plastic waste from the EU. The country imported about 450,000 tons from this region in 2020, HRW’s environmental and human rights expert Krista Shennum said Wednesday. A recent report from the NGO also examines how the Turkish government is dealing with the “health and environmental impacts” of plastic recycling.
Richest countries send waste to Turkey
“Air pollutants and toxins released during recycling affect workers — including children — and people living near recycling facilities,” the organization said. There is an accumulation of cancer, as well as fertility disorders and breathing difficulties.
Europe’s richest countries sent their waste to Turkey, Shennum said. “The EU and individual plastic exporting countries must take responsibility for their own plastic waste, stop exporting plastic to Turkey and reduce the amount of plastic they produce and consume.” The Turkish Environment Ministry has not yet commented on the matter.
Germany is one of the largest exporters of plastic waste in the EU – according to them it was 136,000 tons in 2020. That number fell to 108,000 tons in 2021. The reason was Turkey’s temporary import ban on certain types of plastic.
Turkey stepped in after the ban in China
Incidentally, until 2018, China was the main importer of European plastic waste. However, these were banned by the Beijing government. In their search for alternative export opportunities, the EU countries came across Turkey.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
