The most comprehensive reference book on the plastic waste trade published

Title: Plastic Waste Trade A New Colonialist Means of Pollution Transfer Editor: Sedat Gündoğdu Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland Year: 2024 About the Book: This comprehensive volume takes a holistic view of the international waste trade, arguing that the...

Scientists from our group warn that plastics used for medical treatment cause a neglected direct human microplastic exposure

A new study has revealed the presence of microplastics (MPs) in hypertonic fluid solutions, a type of intravenous (IV) fluid commonly used in hospitals. The findings, published in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology raise concerns about potential health risks...

New Study: Plastic Waste Trade: The Hidden Numbers

Plastics are a mixture of fossil fuels and chemicals, and many chemicals in plastics are known to cause serious health problems. Exports of plastic wastes have been identified as a significant global health and environmental threat, but current reporting systems...

Declaration of Solidarity: Journalists under attack for their investigative work on global plastic waste trade

On July 27, 2022, independent freelance journalists Vedat Örüç and Elif Kurttaş, were attacked while visiting an industrial area with dozens of recycling facilities in Adana, Türkiye. According to a post on Twitter by Vedat Örüç, the journalists entered a plastic...

Scientists call for cap on production to end plastic pollution

Capping production of new plastics will help cut their release to the environment — and brings other benefits, from boosting the value of plastics to helping tackle climate change. Summary: An international group of experts says the production of new plastics should...

Microplastics are found in human blood for the first time

Microplastics – tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in diameter – have been found in human blood for the first time. Scientists in the Netherlands took blood samples from 22 healthy adult donors and analyzed them for particles as small as 700 nm. The researchers...

UN Environment Assembly Adopts Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution

U.N. member states meeting in Nairobi, Kenya as part of the UNEA 5.2 agreed to the first global agreement to tackle plastic pollution. The historical treaty will be developed within two years. It will seek to prevent and reduce plastic pollution in the environment and...

New Research: Raw Plastic Pellet Pollution Threatens Northeast Mediterranean Coasts

Within the scope of the research project carried out by our group and supported by Tübitak with the code 117Y212, raw microplastic pellet pollution of the sandy beaches on the shores of Iskenderun Bay was revealed. Pellet pollution index (PPI) was calculated for the...

New Report: UK plastic dumpsites in Turkey found to be highly contaminated with toxic chemicals

A report released by Greenpeace Mediterranean today, Game of Waste, reveals that five sites in southern Turkey are extensively contaminated with hazardous chemical pollutants following the illegal dumping and open burning of imported plastic waste. Last year...

New Report: The Perceptıon of Turkısh Socıety on Envıronmental Problems and Waste Import

Turkey's plastic waste import issue is a problem that we have been working on for a long time. There is no study that measures the perception of society on this issue, which is mostly brought to the agenda with illegal waste dumping and incineration activities....

The Plastic Recycling Myth

An impressive documentary about the scam of plastic recycling

Do you want to test your knowledge about plastıcs?

Microplastics are small plastic particles with a size between 5 mm and 1 micrometre. It is not easy to recognise them with eyes due to their small size.

Microplastics can be found in rivers, lagoons, lakes, seas, and the atmosphere.
 

All foodstuffs covered with plastic have the risk of containing microplastics.

Microplastics can absorb other pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, etc.) in their surroinding environment.

Microplastics smaller than 130 microns can pass through the intestines.

ACTIVE PROjects

Plastic/Recycling Facility Fires

Plastic and recycling factory fires have attracted attention for a long time globally, especially in connection with illegal activities in the waste sector. This attention has increased even more after a report published by INTERPOL. We have also initiated a project to reveal the condition of a similar factory fire in Turkey in recent years.

Microplastic Pollution Levels in Some Natural Lakes

Within the scope of the project, water, sediment and fish sampling will be carried out in these determined aquatic environments for two years, twice a year.

Microplastic Pollution in the Soils of Lower Seyhan Plain and Seyhan River

This project aims to determine the current status of microplastic pollution in the Lower Seyhan Plain (ASO) soils in Turkey, its relationship with soil biodiversity, its transport to the marine environment via the Seyhan River, and its impact on the Seyhan River fish fauna.

Floating Macro-Mega Marine Debris

In this context, the quantity, distribution, and types of macro and mega marine debris found floating on the southeastern Mediterranean coasts of Turkey will be investigated.

Fıve easy ways for a lıfe wıthout plastıc

Plastic pollution has become such a problem that individual efforts cannot change it. However, by not using plastic, it is possible not to become a part of the environmental crime caused by plastic.

Power of reusable bags

Carrying a bag will always save you from being caught off guard. If you put a reusable storage container, water bottle, personal glass and a couple of reusable bags in the bag, you will avoid using many disposable plastics.

Say “Never” to plastic straw

Plastic straws are the most unnecessary and meaningless plastic product in the world except for medical use. Its use is nothing but waste and pollution. If you do not have a problem where you have to use plastic straws, please specify that you do not want straws when you order.

Storage container or other alternatives instead of cling films

One of the most consumed plastics at home is cling films. It is widely used to preserve foods. However, the solution is straightforward: Storage container or alternative reusable products made of aluminium foil or wax, used for wrapping and storage.

Not order food from restaurants

Significant amounts of plastic are used in meals delivered to the house or workplace upon order. Foam or other plastic packagings in which ordered food is placed is a serious threat. The wet wipes, toothpicks in a plastic bag, sauces and other extras always mean plastic! So instead of ordering food, it’s best to go and eat at the restaurant or eat at home.

Microplastic fibres from laundry!

We must first accept that; Wearing the same things every day may be against fast fashion, but it is a very beneficial job for the environment. We’re not talking about wearing the same things for weeks. We’re talking about wearing a few different combinations on different days. The clothes you take out and wash to keep up with the fashion even though they are not dirty, release thousands of fibres into the aquatic environment, mostly polyester, acrylic and nylon.

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