Türkiye’s plastic waste per person 45 pct above global average

ISTANBUL

Türkiye generated an estimated 48 kilograms of municipal plastic waste per person in 2020, 44.9 percent above the global average, according to a report released by the Zero Waste Foundation.

The Plastic Waste Report examines plastic production, consumption, waste management, recycling, pollution and waste trade at global and national levels.

Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Samed Ağırbaş presented the report at a press conference in Istanbul on Aug. 4. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül also attended the event.

Citing OECD data, Ağırbaş said global plastic use nearly doubled from 234 million metric tons in 2000 to 460 million tons in 2019.

Plastic waste increased from 156 million tons to 353 million tons over the same period, while only about 9 percent was ultimately recycled.

“We have launched a broad campaign to reduce plastic use,” Ağırbaş said, adding that the foundation planned to take the initiative to all 81 provinces before expanding it internationally.

A two-day plastic waste workshop will be held in Istanbul on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in cooperation with the Istanbul Governor’s Office.

Representatives from 14 ministries, more than 40 general directorates, universities, nongovernmental organizations and experts are expected to attend. The workshop will discuss five-, 10-, 15- and 30-year targets, with a plastic action plan to be announced afterward.