# Türkiye Promotes Zero Waste Initiative Amid Rising Domestic Emissions Government touts environmental progress at COP31 while domestic waste generation and methane leaks persist. - **Source:** [Climate Home News](https://www.climatechangenews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [climate](https://brifing.si/c/climate) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2eb9cc42-8c33-426c-bc4a-810a6646ed94 ## Global Ambition Versus Reality Türkiye is actively promoting its Zero Waste initiative as a cornerstone of its COP31 presidency. Despite these international efforts led by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, critics highlight a stark contradiction. While the government showcases recycling centers to foreign journalists, domestic waste generation has risen by 15 percent since 2010, undermining the campaign's stated environmental goals. ## Legislative Delays and Plastic The government has proposed a ban on single-use plastics, yet the legislation remains stalled in parliament. Industry groups like PAGEV argue that such restrictions could harm the economy and employment. Environmental researchers fear that even if approved, the regulations will lack the necessary enforcement mechanisms to prevent companies from simply relabeling or exporting plastic products. ## Ineffective Economic Incentives A plastic bag tax introduced in 2019 initially reduced usage, but its impact has dwindled significantly. Due to rampant inflation, the tax rate of one lira has lost most of its real-world value, rendering it ineffective as a deterrent. Experts argue that the government failed to support this tax with necessary public awareness campaigns for behavioral change. ## Landfill Methane Crisis While modern landfills have replaced older, open-air dumps, they remain significant sources of pollution. Satellite data from Carbon Mapper reveals that sites like the Sincan landfill leak approximately 1,200 kilograms of methane hourly. This greenhouse gas emission level is comparable to the climate impact of 73,000 petrol cars, highlighting a major failure in waste management infrastructure. ## Waste Import Controversies Türkiye has become a primary destination for European plastic waste following China's import restrictions. While European nations face accusations of waste imperialism, Turkish officials defend the practice, claiming it creates local jobs. However, with municipal recycling rates estimated at only 12 to 30 percent, the influx of foreign waste adds immense pressure to the national system. ## The Recycling Gap Official government targets aim for a 70 percent recycling rate, yet current performance lags far behind global leaders. While the environment ministry promotes recycling through educational programs for children and sports initiatives, the vast majority of waste is still sent to landfills. Closing this gap requires systemic changes that the current policy framework has not yet addressed. ## Fossil Fuel Industry Influence Environmental campaigners argue that the Zero Waste initiative serves primarily as a reputation-building tool. By focusing on visible recycling projects, the government avoids confronting powerful fossil fuel interests or altering its development priorities in mining and energy. This strategy allows the administration to project an eco-friendly image without disrupting the core drivers of national emissions. ## Public Health Concerns The environmental impact extends beyond climate change to local living conditions. Residents living near major landfills in Istanbul have reported severe odors so pervasive that they must keep windows closed during summer nights. These reports underscore the human cost of current waste management practices, which prioritize containment over long-term, sustainable reduction of total waste volume. ## Future Policy Outlook As Türkiye continues its COP31 presidency, the pressure to align domestic actions with international rhetoric will likely intensify. Without strict definitions for single-use plastics, higher taxes, and effective methane capture technologies, the Zero Waste initiative risks remaining a symbolic gesture. Observers are now watching to see if the government will implement substantive, enforceable reforms. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/11/11/turkiye-pushes-zero-waste-at-cop31-but-is-it-delivering-at-home/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._