Monthly Data

Key Messages

Plastic waste trade exports to Turkey and 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 62 million kg/month in April 2025 from an average of 39.6 million kg/month in 2021. That is equal to 389 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 41 million kg/month in April 2025 from 10.7 million in January 2023. That is equal to 255 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 24 million kg/month in March 2025.

Netherlands:

• Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 8.3 million kg/month in 2020 to 17 million kg/month in March 2025.

Spain:

• Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 2.9 million kg/month in 2020 to 13 million kg/month in April 2025.

Key Metrics