Monthly Data

Key Messages

December 2023

Plastic waste trade exports to non-OECD countries have dramatically increased 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 58 million kg/month in December 2023 from an average of 45 million kg/month in 2022. That is equal to 368 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 29 million kg/month in December 2023 from 10.7 million in January 2023. That is equal to 176 truckloads of plastic waste PER DAY.

Germany:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries in 2022 and 2023, from an average of 10.9 million kg/month in 2021 to an average of 14.7 million kg/month in 2023.

Netherlands:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries in 2021 through 2023, from an average of 8.3 million kg/month in 2020 to and average of 18.3 million kg/month in 2023.

Belgium:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries in 2021 through 2023, from an average of 6.0 million kg/month in 2020 to an average of 6.8 million kg/month in 2023.

Key Metrics