UK plastic waste and farming in Turkey
UK plastic ‘waste colonialism’ found to be polluting Turkey’s farming heartland
- Level
- B2
- Estimated time
- 30–40 minutes
- Reading
- 1 min read
The story
A Guardian investigation found microplastics in a waterway near a recycling hub in Adana, Turkey. The waterway floods into agricultural fields after heavy rain and then feeds larger irrigation canals used to water crops on the Çukurova plain. This plain is one of Turkey’s most fertile farming areas.
Britain has exported large amounts of plastic waste to Turkey in recent years. Britain exported 675,000 tonnes in 2025, its largest amount in eight years. Of that total, 139,000 tonnes was shipped to Turkey that year, and 13 British companies sent 545 shipments, totalling 52,000 tonnes, to recycling facilities in the Adana hub between May 2021 and July 2024.
Researchers tested water near the recycling zone and found pollution linked to recycling processing. Samples taken downstream from the recycling area were ten times higher than upstream sites. Scientists found pellets, films and fragments that show contamination from recycling operations. A Turkish researcher called for a ban on all plastic imports to Turkey and for mandatory microplastic filtration and independent monitoring at facilities.
The polluted canal water moves through irrigation systems and could reach crops and the Mediterranean Sea. Environmental groups say exports from rich countries are contributing to this problem and warn of risks to food safety and marine life. International talks on a global plastics treaty are expected to resume in 2027.
Key vocabulary
- microplastics
- Very small plastic particles found in water or soil.
- irrigation
- The artificial watering of land to help crops grow.
- canal
- A man-made waterway used to move water for irrigation or drainage.
- recycling
- The process of converting waste into usable material.
- exports
- Goods sent from one country to another for processing or sale.
- polluted
- Made dirty or unsafe by harmful substances.
- contamination
- The presence of harmful substances where they should not be.
- crops
- Plants grown on farms for food or sale.
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. Where did investigators find microplastics?
2. What happened to Britain’s plastic exports in 2025?
3. How did downstream samples compare with upstream sites?
4. What did a Turkish researcher call for?
5. What do the polluted waterways feed?
Grammar focus
Present perfect vs past simple
Use the present perfect for actions with relevance to now, and the past simple for finished events at a specific time.
- Britain has exported large amounts of plastic waste to Turkey in recent years.
- Britain exported 675,000 tonnes in 2025, its largest amount in eight years.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct verb form (present perfect or past simple).
1. In 2025 the UK ___ (export) 675,000 tonnes.
2. So far thirteen companies ___ (send) 545 shipments.
3. Last year scientists ___ (find) contamination downstream.
4. So far downstream samples ___ (be) ten times higher.
5. Since May 2021 researchers ___ (call) for filtration.
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- Who should be responsible for reducing plastic exports and why?
- How could local farmers be affected by contaminated irrigation water?
- What changes could exporting countries make to reduce this kind of pollution?
- Would you support a ban on all plastic imports to a country? Explain.