Exports of plastic waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a group of mostly rich countries, has hit records highs in 2023, according to trade data collected by Plastic Waste Trade Watch.
European Union plastic waste exports to Asia increased 45% from 2022. Total EU exports to non-OECD countries rose to 750 million kg in 2023 from 517 million kg in 2022. This is the highest level of plastic waste exports to Asia since China implemented the National Sword in 2018, the association revealed.
The announcement comes shortly after the European Parliament voted in favour of banning plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, a measure likely to enter into force by 2027.
EU exports to all countries increased to 1.32 billion kg in 2023 from 1.04 billion kg in 2022 with 57% going to non-OECD countries.
Turkey continued to be the continent’s top destination for plastic waste, although exports decreased to 316 million kg in 2023 from 346 million kg in 2022. The top destinations in non-OECD countries were Malaysia, with an increase of 283 million kg in 2023 from 184 million kg in 2022, and Vietnam, with an increase from 148 million kg in 2023 from 100 million kg in 2022.
In terms of monthly exports, the highest exports to non-OECD countries were recorded in November 2023 by the Netherlands (22 million kg), followed by Spain in September (13.8 million kg), and Germany in December (13 million kg).
United Kingdom plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries increased to 77 million kg in 2023, up from 47 million kg in 2022. Exports to Turkey increased 60% from 2022, to 141 million kg.
Australia’s plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries increased 13% from 2022, to 64 million kg. Japan continued to flood other parts of Asia with plastic waste, exporting 55.5 million kg in November 2023 to non-OECD countries.
In the United States, plastic waste exports slightly decreased from 2022. The US exported 268 million kg to non-OECD countries in 2023 compared to 275 million kg in 2022. It exported 76 million kg to Mexico in 2023, down from 86 million kg in 2022. This February, two environmental groups claimed that California ships contaminated waste plastics to Mexico.
Source: sustainableplastics.com
