On the eve of COP31, Turkey's dilemma in dealing with the 'colonization of waste' from the West

As Turkey prepares for COP31, scrutiny increases over its role as a major destination for Western plastic waste. Following China's 2018 ban on plastic imports, Turkey received 510,000 tons of plastic waste from EU countries in 2025, raising concerns about environmental impacts. Critics argue that this practice exemplifies 'waste colonialism,' where wealthier nations shift their environmental burdens to poorer countries. Turkey's own waste management struggles, with a significant portion of its municipal plastic waste ending up in landfills, complicate the situation. Environmental activists are calling for a ban on plastic waste imports, urging Turkey to take a stand against becoming a dumping ground for Europe.