Plastic waste imports into Türkiye (Adana)
- International bodies European Commission: The findings "do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing… but point to the need for substantial improvements." European Commission
- Government and regulators Turkish authorities: No answer recorded; EU authorities reported difficulty getting answers from Turkish counterparts. European Commission
- Communities and civil society Greenpeace: Found UK plastic at all 10 dumping sites checked in Adana in 2021. Greenpeace UK (via The Ecologist)
- Communities and civil society Human Rights Watch: Reported respiratory problems, headaches, skin conditions and no protective equipment among workers, including children, refugees and undocumented migrants. Human Rights Watch
Türkiye received 510,000 tonnes of European Union plastic waste in 2025, the largest share of any destination. A 2026 European Commission assessment said the findings pointed to a need for substantial improvements, and Human Rights Watch and Greenpeace reported harm to workers and dump sites around Adana and Istanbul.
36% of all EU plastic waste exports to third countries and 70% of exports to OECD countries (European Commission, 1 September 2026). A press report gave about 503,000 t.
Status As of October 2026: the Commission's 1 September 2026 assessment found Türkiye received 510,000 t of EU plastic waste in 2025 and called for substantial improvements; a reassessment is planned by the end of 2028.
- Importing recyclers in Türkiye (names not public) — Received the waste for processing; the Commission recorded more than 1,300 licensed facilities by 2020. European Commission
- Turkish plastics sector — Said imported waste lowered prices by about 30%.
- EU member states — About a third of EU-reported plastic packaging recycling came from exports in 2017–2020.
- Recycling workers, including children, refugees and undocumented migrants, in Istanbul and Adana — Reported respiratory problems, headaches, skin conditions and no protective equipment. Human Rights Watch
- Residents near recycling sites in Istanbul and Adana — Included among Human Rights Watch's 64 interviews (21 residents). Human Rights Watch
What happened
In 2025 the European Union exported 1.4 million tonnes of plastic waste to countries outside the EU, 730,000 t of it to OECD countries. Türkiye received 510,000 t, which the European Commission put at 36% of all EU plastic waste exports and 70% of exports to OECD countries. The Commission described this as the highest level so far, worth €94 million. Türkiye's total plastic waste imports from third countries were about 700,000 t, with the United Kingdom a major source.
China, which had taken 45% of the world's plastic waste imports since 1992, stopped imports in January 2018; 111 million tonnes of waste were expected to go elsewhere by 2030. Greenpeace's Adana report of 17 May 2021, as cited by the trade outlet Resource, put EU plastic exports to Türkiye at 22,000 t in 2016 and 447,000 t in 2020. Greenpeace said it found UK plastic at all 10 dumping sites it checked in Adana, and Greenpeace UK's report "Trashed" put UK plastic waste exports to Türkiye at 209,642 t in 2020, almost 40% of the UK total.
Human Rights Watch published "It's as If They're Poisoning Us" on 21 September 2022. It was based on 64 interviews in Istanbul and Adana, including 26 current or former recycling workers and 21 residents. Five of the workers were children at the time of interview, and four adults had started work as children. Interviewees included refugees and undocumented migrants. The reported harms were respiratory problems, headaches and skin conditions, and workers described having no protective equipment.
Türkiye's import rules, as described by the Commission, include a 1% contamination limit and, since 2022, a quota capping imports at 50% of each facility's certified capacity, released in quarterly tranches with penalties for exceeding it. A ban on polyethylene waste imports was announced at the end of May 2021, took effect on 2–3 July 2021 and was lifted by Official Gazette notice on 10 July 2021, replaced by licensing tied to capacity. The plastics sector said imports were about 20% of domestic demand and had lowered prices by about 30%.
The Commission's assessment of Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation (SWD(2026) 274 final, 1 September 2026) recorded more than 1,300 licensed recycling facilities by 2020, with Adana described as the hub, and stakeholder estimates that about 10% of Türkiye's own plastic waste is recycled. It said stakeholders questioned whether facilities' declared capacity was overstated and that EU authorities had difficulty getting answers from Turkish counterparts. It concluded that the findings "do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing… but point to the need for substantial improvements", and planned a reassessment by the end of 2028. An EU rule banning plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from 21 November 2026 does not cover Türkiye, which is an OECD member.
- 2016EU plastic waste exports to Türkiye: 22,000 t (Greenpeace, as cited by Resource)
- 2018China stops plastic waste imports (January)
- 2020EU exports to Türkiye 447,000 t (Greenpeace) or nearly 450,000 t (HRW); UK exports 209,642 t (Greenpeace UK)
- 202117 May: Greenpeace reports UK plastic at all 10 Adana dumping sites checked. End of May: polyethylene waste import ban announced; in force 2–3 July; lifted 10 July
- 2022Import quota of 50% of certified capacity introduced; 21 September: Human Rights Watch report
- 2024Waste fines of about €16.5m recorded
- 2025Türkiye receives 510,000 t of EU plastic waste (Commission); press report gives about 503,000 t
- 20261 September: Commission assessment of Türkiye. 21 November: EU ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries due to start; it does not cover Türkiye
What was said
“it would feel like my lungs were squeezed and under pressure.”
“do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing… but point to the need for substantial improvements.”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
The findings "do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing… but point to the need for substantial improvements."
European CommissionNo answer recorded; EU authorities reported difficulty getting answers from Turkish counterparts.
European CommissionFound UK plastic at all 10 dumping sites checked in Adana in 2021.
Greenpeace UK (via The Ecologist)Reported respiratory problems, headaches, skin conditions and no protective equipment among workers, including children, refugees and undocumented migrants.
Human Rights WatchImports are capped at 50% of each facility's certified capacity, released in quarterly tranches.
European CommissionQuestioned whether facilities' declared capacity is overstated.
European Commission510,000 t, 36% of all EU plastic waste exports, worth €94 million.
European CommissionHow it looked
Shown
- More than 1,300 licensed recycling facilities, with Adana described as the hubEuropean Commission assessment, describing the Turkish sector · European Commission
- Each facility's certified capacity, on which the 50% import quota is based; stakeholders questioned whether declared capacity was overstatedTurkish import rules, as described in the Commission assessment · European Commission
Recorded
- EU exports of plastic waste to Türkiye were 22,000 t in 2016 and 447,000 t in 2020, according to Greenpeace's Adana report as cited by Resource.
- Human Rights Watch put Türkiye's intake at nearly 450,000 t of EU plastic in 2020, the largest recipient, and at "nearly half of the EU's plastic waste exports in 2020 and 2021".
- Greenpeace said it found UK plastic at all 10 dumping sites checked in Adana in 2021.
- Greenpeace UK recorded 209,642 t of UK plastic waste going to Türkiye in 2020, almost 40% of UK plastic waste exports.
- UN Comtrade data, compiled by the Basel Action Network, showed 141 million kg going from the UK to Türkiye in 2023, up from 88 million kg in 2022.
- Recoup reported that more than 25% of England's 600,000+ t of plastic waste exports went to Türkiye in 2023.
- Statista, citing Eurostat, gave Türkiye's 2023 receipts as 315,620 t.
- The UK National Audit Office reported in 2018 that about half of subsidised packaging recycling was exported and that about one in four high-risk exporters had been inspected.
- Türkiye's virgin and waste plastic imports peaked at 8.9 Mt in 2025, against plastic products output of 10 Mt.
- Türkiye generated 3.3–3.9 Mt of plastic waste domestically; stakeholders estimated about 10% was recycled. Municipal waste in 2021 was about 80% landfilled and 12% recycled.
- Waste fines in 2024 were about €16.5m.
- Interpol reported in 2020 a rise in forged documents, fraudulent registrations and crime networks using legitimate firms as cover in the plastic waste trade, based on intelligence from 40 countries covering 257 trade routes.
- The plastics sector said imported waste made up about 20% of domestic demand and had lowered prices by about 30%.
- From 21 November 2026 the EU bans plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries; from 2027 exporters must have the destination facility independently audited.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- European Commission (2026-09-01): Said the findings "do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing… but point to the need for substantial improvements", and planned a reassessment by the end of 2028. · European Commission
- Turkish authorities (2026-09-01): No answers recorded: EU authorities reported difficulty getting answers from their Turkish counterparts. · European Commission
- Turkish plastics sector (July 2021): Said imports were about 20% of domestic demand and had lowered prices by about 30%, in the context of the July 2021 polyethylene import ban and its reversal.
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2026-09-01–2026-09-01OngoingCommission assessment of Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment RegulationEuropean Commission · Regulatory · European Commission → Türkiye (assessed party)
The Commission found that its findings do not lead to the conclusion that Türkiye is failing but point to the need for substantial improvements, and planned a reassessment by the end of 2028. European Commission
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Disputed Is Türkiye managing imported plastic waste adequately?
Accounts
- Disputed Is the declared capacity of recycling facilities accurate?
- Disputed How much EU plastic waste did Türkiye receive in 2025?
- None on record Turkish authorities: No answer recorded; EU authorities reported difficulty getting answers from Turkish counterparts.
Record
- None on record The names of the importing recyclers are not public.
- Unclear Whether facilities' declared capacity is overstated is unresolved: stakeholders questioned it and the Commission recorded the question.
- Disputed Figures for 2025 differ: the Commission gave 510,000 t received from the EU and a press report gave about 503,000 t.
- None on record EU authorities reported difficulty getting answers from Turkish counterparts.
Did the harm stop?
Not established in the record. The Commission planned a reassessment by the end of 2028, and the EU ban on exports to non-OECD countries from 21 November 2026 does not cover Türkiye.
Who paid?
Workers and residents in Istanbul and Adana, according to Human Rights Watch; the record names no payment or compensation.
Sources
Government and regulators
- The packaging recycling obligations (HC 1386)National Audit Office (UK) · 2018-07-23
Press and investigations
- UK plastic waste illegally dumped and burned in TurkeyResource · 2021-05-17
- EU waste export ban spares Turkey, its biggest plastic dumping groundBrussels Signal · 2026-09
Communities and civil society
- "It's as If They're Poisoning Us" (88 pp.)Human Rights Watch · 2022-09-21
- Trashed, Greenpeace UK report on plastic waste in Turkey (via The Ecologist)Greenpeace UK (via The Ecologist) · 2021-05-17
- UK export data: annual summary (UN Comtrade)Basel Action Network · 2023
International bodies
Connected cases
- UK packaging recycling notes (PRN) system and export fraud United Kingdom · 2009–2025
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: NGO; found UK plastic at sites in Adana
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: NGO; interviewed workers in Turkey
- National Audit Office (Public authority) — here: Audited the UK packaging recycling obligations (2018); there: Auditor of the PRN/PERN system
- EU seal-product ban's Inuit exemption found ineffective Canada · 2014
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Seal-product ban with an Inuit exemption
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Campaigner; apology issuer (unverified)
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Trade partner (trade preference)
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Human rights investigator
- African Parks Odzala-Kokoua abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2010–2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020)
- Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Renew Oceans (Ganges) India · 2019–2026
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Its Unearthed unit published the 2024 comparison
- Boké bauxite mining and the CBG expansion Guinea · 1974–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Researcher and reporter
- Brent Spar decommissioning controversy (North Sea) United Kingdom · 1995–2019
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Campaigner in the Brent Spar controversy
- Cambodia REDD+ indigenous consultation failure Cambodia · 2015–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Author of the 2024 report
- Chepang man dies in army custody after Chitwan park detention; homes reportedly burned Nepal · 2020
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Reported the case
- China small hydropower closures, Yangtze Economic Belt China · 2018–2020
- National Audit Office (Public authority) — here: Audited the UK packaging recycling obligations (2018); there: Auditor whose finding on interrupted flow was reported
- Coca-Cola plastic pledges and brand audits United States · 2018
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Analyst of the alliance's results
- Corporate suits against Greenpeace (TotalEnergies, Shell, Resolute) France, United Kingdom, United States · 2019–2024
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Defendant in all three suits
- EDF spying on Greenpeace (France) France · 2011–2013
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Organisation placed under surveillance; awarded damages at first instance
- Energy Transfer v Greenpeace (Dakota Access) United States · 2017–2026
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Defendant in the federal suit
- EU bans offset-based neutrality claims from 27 September 2026 European Union · 2024–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: adopted the directive
- EU bans three neonicotinoid pesticides outdoors in 2018; Turkey follows in part European Union · 2018
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: campaigner and reporter on exports
- EU court rejects Austria's challenge to green label for gas and nuclear European Union · 2022–2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: set the taxonomy rules
- EU Deforestation Regulation delays and trade pressure European Union · 2022
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Regulator
- EU mirror measure on antimicrobials and Brazil beef exclusion Brazil · 2019–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Regulator that adopted the measure and decided the list
- EU narrows supply-chain law and delays deforestation rule twice European Union · 2024–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Adopted the narrowed directive and postponed the EUDR
- Greenpeace leaves the Forest Stewardship Council in 2018 Global · 2018
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Organisation that ended its FSC membership
- Greenpeace says fisheries scientist Ray Hilborn got $3.56m from seafood groups United States · 2003–2016
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: complainant; reported the funding figures
- Hess agreed to buy at least US$750 million of Guyana forest credits Guyana · 2011–2032
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Campaign group that criticised the plan
- ICVCM approves three REDD+ methods; older Verra methods left out Global · 2023–2024
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: published the 2024 report on the voluntary carbon market
- Indonesia's forest moratorium: ministry cited 38% less clearing, Greenpeace disputed it Indonesia · 2011–2019
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: critic; published satellite analysis
- Jadar lithium project Serbia · 2022–2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Defendant in the strategic-status case (European Commission)
- Kenyan forest guards shoot dead Sengwer herder Robert Kirotich during evictions Kenya · 2018–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: donor; suspended support for the WaTER programme
- Kenyan water-tower forest evictions followed a 2018 killing by forest guards Kenya · 2016–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: funder of the WaTER programme
- Marange diamonds and the Kimberley Process (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe · 2008–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: NGO that reported the killings
- McKinsey advice to COP28 presidency and fossil clients United Arab Emirates · 2011–2025
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Author of the 2011 report on McKinsey's cost curves
- Messok Dja ecoguard abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2008–2020
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Funder; suspended about €1 million in 2020
- Morocco says it cut cadmium in phosphate fertilisers; EU cannot verify the claim Morocco · 2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: acknowledges it cannot verify Morocco's claim
- Ngorongoro and Loliondo relocations Tanzania · 1992–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: NGO; reported services cut
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates: Swiss ban and EU restriction Switzerland · 1984–2014
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Adopted Directive 2003/53/EC
- North Sea platform decommissioning tax relief (UK) United Kingdom · 2013–2024
- National Audit Office (Public authority) — here: Audited the UK packaging recycling obligations (2018); there: Auditor; 2019 estimate reported
- Posidonia oceanica meadows (Balearics, Mediterranean) Spain · 2018–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Habitats Directive: Posidonia beds are a priority habitat
- Prestige Spain · 2002–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Provided more than €275m in aid
- Raja Ampat nickel licences revoked Indonesia · 2025
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Campaign organisation; reported more than 500 hectares destroyed
- Resolute Forest Products v Greenpeace Canada · 2012–2024
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Defendant in the US case; campaigner
- Russia declares WWF and Greenpeace 'undesirable' organisations Russia · 2023
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Declared undesirable and closed in Russia
- Russia labels WWF Russia a foreign agent, then an undesirable organisation Russia · 2023
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Declared undesirable on 19 May 2023
- Sellafield decommissioning and Hanford cleanup budgets United States · 1943–2086
- National Audit Office (Public authority) — here: Audited the UK packaging recycling obligations (2018); there: UK auditor reporting on Sellafield
- Sengwer evictions from Embobut forest and the EU Water Towers programme (Kenya) Kenya · 2014–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Funder of the WaTER programme
- Shell and Greenpeace settle Penguins FPSO case; Greenpeace pays RNLI £300,000 United Kingdom · 2023–2024
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Defendant; paid the RNLI and accepted exclusion zones
- Southern Cardamom REDD+ project and the arrest of Pork Nget (Cambodia) Cambodia · 2015–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Author of the 2024 report
- Trade rules curb green industrial policy; WTO rules against Indonesia nickel ban Global · 2013–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Complainant in the Indonesia nickel case; respondent in the palm oil and CBAM disputes
- Turmeric, neem, basmati, Nap Hal patent revocations India · 2004–2022
- Greenpeace (NGO) — here: Reported UK plastic at Adana dumping sites (2021); there: Declared victory on the Nap Hal wheat revocation
- Uzbek cotton clusters took farmers' land and set quotas, rights group reports Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022); there: Published the 2026 report
- World Bank and development bank accountability mechanisms: Embobut (Sengwer), Tata Mundra, Arun III, Jale, Cambodia Kenya · 2007–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Funder of the WaTER programme
- WTO panel backs EU on palm biofuel rules in Malaysia case Global · 2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Respondent; set the renewable-status rules
- WTO panel found Indonesia's raw nickel export ban breached rules Indonesia · 2020–2022
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation; there: Brought the complaint at the WTO