WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
EU Threatens Trade Ban with Turkey Over Plastic Waste Concerns
WHY IT MATTERS
A trade ban with Turkey could reroute plastic waste to other OECD countries, potentially exacerbating environmental problems and undermining EU efforts to reduce pollution.
What happened
The European Commission has warned Turkey to address pollution and environmental concerns related to plastic waste treatment, or face a potential trade ban. A Commission assessment found evidence of environmental damage linked to Turkey's treatment of plastic waste, which could breach EU rules.
Turkey received a third of the EU's exported plastic waste last year, with only around 10% being recycled and the majority going to landfills or leaking into the environment. The Commission will consider banning the export of plastic waste to Turkey if the country fails to take adequate measures.
This could jeopardize the bloc's most important market for trash, as Turkey is the biggest importer of European waste.
PRIMARY SOURCES
EU warns Turkey to clean up waste treatment or face trade ban
POLITICO Europe · Fiona McNally · Discovery only; POLITICO copyright and subscription terms apply