Single-use plastics, marine litter, and microplastics roadmap: Turkey National Action Plan

With the rapid increase in global plastic production over the past few decades, rising from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to over 400 million tons in 2022, the issue of plastic waste has also become increasingly severe. According to OECD forecasts, by 2060, global plastic production will reach1.23 billion tonsAmong them, plastic waste will exceed1 billion tonsAs an important country along the Mediterranean coast,TurkeyNot only is it a major consumer of plastic products, but it is also deeply troubled by marine litter pollution.

In response to this challenge, the Turkish government, based on the EU policy framework, officially released the "Single-Use Plastics, Marine Litter, and Microplastics Roadmap," which is Turkey's...Circular Economy TransitionOne of the key strategic steps to enhance recycling rates and reduce marine plastic pollution.

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The Reality of Plastic Pollution: The Industry Background in Turkey

In 2022, Turkey's plastic product output reached10.5 million tonsThe above content should be translated into English directly, without any explanation.Packaging materialsThe highest proportion is441 million tonsIn the national plastic consumption, approximately4.3 million tonsAs final consumer goods, they are used directly by consumers.The average annual amount of plastic waste processed is close to 1.9 million tons.37% of which comes from packaging, 20% from households, 16% from agriculture, and the remaining from manufacturing and construction.

Despite the widespread use of plastic products,Only 9% of plastic waste is effectively recycled.Most of the rest ends up in landfills, incinerated, or enters the environment, causing severe pollution.

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Roadmap Overview: Three-Phase Strategic Implementation Path

Short-term goals (2025–2027)

• National Plastic Strategy and Action PlanFormulate.

• Develop regulations to restrict/prohibit specific single-use plastic products, especiallyFood packaging and beverage containers。

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) SystemEnterprises are required to bear the costs of recycling and handling packaging and other products.

• Mandatory regulationIntegration design of bottle caps and beverage bottlesPromote recycling efficiency.

• Encourage the tourism and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, and Cafe) industries.(Hotels, restaurants, coffee shops) use reusable and refillable packaging.

• Improve drinking water infrastructure.Reduce bottled water consumption。

• Plastic Production and Consumption Digital Data Monitoring System。

• Implement a nationwide public awareness enhancement project in collaboration.NGOs, industries, and local governmentsCooperation.

Medium-term Goals (2028–2032)

• Revise the regulations on packaging waste management.Aligned comprehensively with EU legislation。

• Increase the collection rate of PET bottles from 77% to 90%.

• Product LabelIdentify the plastic components and their environmental impact.

• To address single-use products not yet covered by the EU "Single-Use Plastics Directive"Restrictions and Promotion of AlternativesPlastic cutlery, wet wipes, tobacco products, etc.

• Strengthened regulation of key industriesHORECA, tourism, retail, textile, agriculture, and transportation.

Long-term goals (after 2033)

• Circular business modelProduct reuse, refilling systems.

• Support the construction of a testing platform for biodegradable and compostable materials.。

• Encourage innovative design and research and development.Development of alternative disposable plastic materials and products.

• Incorporating single-use plastic alternativesGreen Public Procurement (GPP) PolicySystem.

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Ocean Waste Management: Comprehensive Management from Fishing Gear to Tourism

Marine plastic waste is particularly severe in the Mediterranean region. According to EU statistics, approximately85% of beach litter is plastic.Among them50% is single-use plastic.Turkey's roadmap proposes:

• Promote a nationwide "ghost fishing gear" recovery plan, implement a "waste fishing" project, and establish a marine debris monitoring database.

• EstablishNational Marine Debris Action PlanPromote citizen participation mechanisms such as "adopt a beach."

• DevelopmentNew biodegradable fishing equipmentPrevent garbage from entering the ocean through the sewage system.

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Microplastic Pollution Prevention and Control: From Regulatory Alignment to Research Advancement

The management of microplastic pollution has become part of this roadmap.One of the highlightsTurkey plans:

• Align with the EU REACH regulation,Prohibit rinse-off cosmetics, cleaning products, and fertilizers containing plastic microbeads.And products.

• Establish a standardized monitoring laboratory and implement it.Legislation on the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pellet Leakage。

• Promote regulatory monitoring of microplastics in urban wastewater and sludge, and incorporate it.Water Pollution Control Standards。

Additionally, the roadmap will alsoRestrict skincare products, lipsticks, and nail polishes containing microplastics.Include products in long-term goals and promote the establishment of special research projects in the field of scientific research.