In 2023, Germany was the world's largest plastic waste exporter, with shipments totaling over 693 thousand metric tons. The UK ranked second that year, with exports amounting to some 615 thousand tons. Seven out of the top 10 plastic exporters that year were located in Europe.
Trends in plastic waste exports
In 2022, global plastic exports were estimated at some four million metric tons, the lowest figure recorded in over a decade. Exports have decreased significantly in the past decade, from more than 15 million metric tons in 2010. This was a result of stricter regulations on the quality of waste allowed to be exported and the imposition of a series of import bans across the world - the latter mainly in Asian countries who historically received the bulk of global plastic waste exports.
Includes countries exporting over 100 thousand metric tons of waste plastics.
Figures refer to waste, parings, and scrap of plastics, according to the Harmonized System (HS 3915).
Values have been rounded.
The source did not specify a publication date. The release date given is the date of access.
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Trade Map. (June 26, 2024). Exports of plastic waste worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/
Trade Map. "Exports of plastic waste worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in 1,000 metric tons)." Chart. June 26, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/
Trade Map. (2024). Exports of plastic waste worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in 1,000 metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/
Trade Map. "Exports of Plastic Waste Worldwide in 2023, by Leading Country (in 1,000 Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/
Trade Map, Exports of plastic waste worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in 1,000 metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/ (last visited December 12, 2024)
Exports of plastic waste worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph], Trade Map, June 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357841/plastic-waste-export-volume-by-country/