Source:pagev.net

PAGEV - NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP IN EFFORTS TO PREVENT MARINE WASTE

 

Solution for Clean Seas Lies in an Integrated Waste Management System

How much plastic is in the oceans, and how much will there be by 2050? We don’t know, but it will likely be a lot. When will the number of plastic items surpass the number of fish? We have no idea. However, one fact is clear: marine waste is increasing, and this signals a serious problem. The solution lies in eliminating land-based waste and recycling waste that has economic value.

Pollution in the oceans and seas worldwide is increasing every day. Research shows that this threat could reach even larger proportions in the coming years. The world’s coasts are particularly polluted due to land-based waste irresponsibly discarded into the environment. However, the blame often falls on plastics, because unlike other waste, plastics float rather than sinking to the sea floor, making them highly visible. A report titled The New Plastics Economy, conducted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum, examines the quantities of plastic entering the oceans and highlights this issue. According to the report, if current rates of plastic disposal continue, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. The report estimates that by 2050, the amount of fish in the seas will be approximately 899 million tons, while plastic waste in the oceans will reach roughly 850–950 million tons, reflecting a 25% increase. Scientific authorities are still examining how these figures were derived. These studies often attempt to blame plastics alone, while overlooking the main cause of marine pollution: land-based waste irresponsibly discarded into the environment.

Norway is Sensitive About Marine Waste and Seeks Collaboration with Stakeholders in Turkey

Norway, a country that places great importance on maritime activities, actively participates in global efforts to clean the seas. As a world leader in salmon fishing, Norway has developed an extensive program to combat marine waste to protect its fisheries. Considering the mobility of marine waste, it becomes clear that a global cleanup initiative is essential. Therefore, the Norwegian government is keen to strengthen partnerships with organizations active in marine waste management in Turkey, such as PAGEV, TURMEPA, and TÜDAV.

Scientific Studies Show That Over 70% of Marine Waste Originates from Land

The greatest threat to the future of coastlines worldwide is the absence of proper waste management systems. It is not merely the trash thrown into the sea that pollutes the oceans, but improperly disposed household and industrial waste that is neither separated at the source nor recycled, often ending up in illegal dumps, many of which are located near coasts. Waves, floods, wind, sewage systems, rivers, and groundwater carry this waste into the sea. Scientific studies indicate that more than 70% of marine waste comes from land, and plastic constitutes a significant portion of this waste.

To achieve clean seas and a sustainable environment, proper waste management systems must be implemented, and high-quality waste must be recycled. Waste does not accumulate solely along a country’s coasts; it spreads worldwide via currents and waves. Waste originating in Turkey pollutes other countries’ shores, while waste from other nations threatens Turkey’s coasts. Therefore, rehabilitating or closing illegal landfills and ensuring that waste disposal sites are not located near coastlines are crucial steps.

Addressing Misconceptions About Plastic in Public Discourse

PAGEV-PAGÇEV-SEM Plastik Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu noted that recent public discourse has created a negative perception of plastics. “A recent report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlighted a crisis in marine pollution, claiming that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. While marine pollution is indeed a real issue, the figures may not be entirely accurate. How is plastic measured? How are fish counted? The report does not provide definitive numbers, and the methodology remains unclear. Nevertheless, these reports often attempt to create a negative public perception of plastic. The one undeniable fact is that marine pollution is increasing, and urgent action is needed,” he said.

53% of Marine Waste in Turkey Comes from External Sources

Eroğlu emphasized that cleaning only a country’s own coasts is insufficient: “53% of the waste in Turkey’s seas originates from abroad. Our country is surrounded by seas on three sides, and we are heavily impacted by waste from other nations. Wars, damaged infrastructure, and shifting priorities in neighboring countries increase marine waste. In Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, many irregular solid waste disposal facilities exist near the Mediterranean coast and must be rapidly organized or closed. Yet, given the ongoing wars, addressing these issues is extremely challenging. The human tragedy in Syria has an environmental dimension that reaches our coasts. Immediate measures are required. The only solution to cleaning marine waste and preventing new pollution is to adopt a fully integrated waste management system through international cooperation.”

The Role of Waste Management and Recycling in Sustainability

Eroğlu added, “The lack of a functional waste management system in our country is the biggest obstacle for the recycling sector compared to developed nations. Recycling is, in fact, a major advantage for all sectors. Recycled materials can be reused in production, significantly contributing to the national economy. Consumers also have an important role, beginning with separating waste at the source. But this is not enough; local authorities must collect separated waste carefully and initiate the recycling process. Materials that are not separated at the source and are instead dumped into irregular collection areas lose their chance for recycling. We must act quickly alongside local authorities to advance towards integrated waste management.”

PAGEV and PAGÇEV’s Initiatives Against Marine Waste

Regarding marine waste, Eroğlu stated, “As the plastic industry, we continue our activities under our mission as a responsible industry. We brought to Turkey the Happy Fish project, inspired by the Waste Free Oceans Foundation, which started in Europe and quickly spread worldwide. Happy Fish promotes ‘waste fishing’ to remove debris from the sea surface. This cleanup includes all packaging waste, not just plastics. Collected waste is recycled through PAGÇEV. Additionally, PAGÇEV conducts educational programs in schools to raise awareness about source separation. As the plastics industry, we strive to fulfill our responsibility toward a clean and sustainable environment. Through this project, we aim to clean our seas while setting an example for other industries in recycling.”