The European Union has called for greater transparency and more detailed data regarding Türkiye’s plastic recycling infrastructure. A recent assessment of the country’s waste management systems highlighted significant data gaps. Under tightening EU waste shipment regulations, these unresolved information deficits could ultimately lead to a prohibition on plastic waste exports from the EU to Türkiye.
This development stems from the EU's revised Waste Shipment Regulation, which mandates that importing nations must demonstrate they manage waste in an environmentally sound manner. The current lack of comprehensive data on Turkish recycling capacities, processing standards, and actual recycling rates prevents the European Commission from verifying compliance, raising the risk of market disruption.
For UK waste exporters and Turkish recyclers, this warning carries significant weight. Although the UK is no longer an EU member, its export market remains deeply integrated with European regulatory trends. If the EU halts plastic exports to Türkiye, Turkish recyclers will face a severe feedstock shortage, driving up competition for UK-sourced material. Conversely, UK exporters might face increased domestic scrutiny, as British regulators often align with EU environmental standards to prevent the UK from becoming an alternative route for non-compliant waste. Turkish recyclers must urgently collaborate with local authorities to standardise reporting and prove their facilities meet equivalent European standards.
A practical takeaway for businesses is to audit their supply chains immediately. UK exporters should ensure all Annex VII documentation is flawless, while Turkish processors must prepare to provide transparent, auditable data on their recycling efficiencies and residue disposal to secure their long-term feedstock pipelines.
