An Evaluation of Solid Waste Management in Turkey

Abstract

In the world, where human population exceeds 6 billion, industrialization process has been spreading in developing countries and it has caused a great increase in the amount of waste. Development levels of world countries are the significant impact to determine the amount and formation of solid wastes. The first legal regulations on the collection and evaluation of solid wastes in Turkey were entered into force in 1930. Turkey had 3140 municipalities in 2002. While 2977 (92%) of these municipalities were giving solid waste collection service, only 12 municipalities had disposal facilities according to the regulations. There were 12 regular storage and 4 composting facilities belonging to these municipalities. Basic policy in waste management in Turkey is the waste minimization, recycling and final disposal. In the case of pollution/contamination, authorities are responsible for taking required measures to prevent contamination and polluting individuals are obliged to stop pollution, take measures to reduce or eliminate its effects. This study presents a brief history of the legislative trends in Turkey for Municipality solid waste (MSW) management. In addition, submits the MSW responsibility and management structure along with the current production, composition, recycling, and treatment. The legislative system that will provide legal, administrative and technical guidance or a roadmap to the most important handicap projects of local governments which want to put their budget projects into practice isn’t sufficient and effective in terms of institution. The directive on control of solid waste is crucially important for local administrations to implement urgently such infrastructure projects which are the most important actors to achieve the process of European Union (EU) accession process where legislative, administrative and technical frameworks have to be adherent to EU. Such an approach will be needed for Turkish people to live in a healthy environment and sustainable development in the country.