Monthly Data

Key Messages

May 2026

The Basel Plastic Waste Amendments were enacted on January 1, 2021.

The E.U., U.K., Japan, and Canada initially reduced plastic waste exports to Non-OECD countries in January 2021, but exports have significantly increased since then.

E.U. increased plastic waste exports to Non-OECD countries from an average of 39 million kg/month in 2021 to 66 million kg/month in May 2026.

E.U. increased plastic waste exports to Turkey from an average of 32 million kg/month in 2021 to 52 million kg/month in May 2026.

Japan plastic waste exports to Non-OECD countries have stayed consistently high from an average of 47 million kg/month in 2021 to 43 million kg/month in May 2026.

UK increased plastic waste exports to Turkey from an average of 10 million kg/month in 2021 to 18 million kg/month in May 2026.