Monthly Data

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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 45 million kg/month in December 2025 from an average of 39.6 million kg/month in 2021. That is equal to 280 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 55 million kg/month in December 2025 from 10.7 million in January 2023. That is equal to 343 truckloads of plastic waste PER DAY.

German

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 10.9 million kg/month in 2021 to 22 million kg/month in October 2025.

Netherlands:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 8.3 million kg/month in 2020 to 12 million kg/month in November 2025.

Spain:

  • Increased plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries from an average of 2.9 million kg/month in 2020 to 12 million kg/month in October 2025.

Key Metrics