Monthly Data

Key Messages

July 2024

Plastic waste trade exports to non-OECD countries have dramatically increased starting in late 2023, most likely due to high energy costs shutting down plastic recycling operations in EU.

  • EU plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries rose to 79.7 million kg/month in July 2024 from an average of 39/6 million kg/month in 2021. That is equal to 500 shipping containers of plastic waste exported to non-OECD countries PER DAY.

EU increasing plastic waste exports to Turkey:

  • Increase in EU exports to Turkey to 35.4 million kg/month in July 2024 from 10.7 million in January 2023. That is equal to 224 truckloads of plastic waste PER DAY.

Germany:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 10.9 million kg/month in 2021 to 22.6 million kg/month in August 2024.

Netherlands:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 8.3 million kg/month in 2020 to 15.1 million kg/month in August 2024.

Spain:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 2.9 million kg/month in 2020 to 16.4 million kg/month in June 2024.

Belgium:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 6.0 million kg/month in 2020 to 7.9 million kg/month in August 2024.

Key Metrics