Plastic waste exports from the European Union 2005-2023
The European Union (EU-27) exported 1.33 million metric tons of plastic waste to non-EU countries in 2023, up from 1.12 million tons a year earlier. Plastic waste exports from the EU peaked in 2014, at 2.73 million metric tons.
China was once the largest market for plastic waste exports from the EU, importing as much as 1.36 million metric tons worth in 2015. However, the country's ban on plastic waste introduced in 2018 saw exports plummet to just 50.3 thousand metric tons that year. Turkey is now the main destination for EU waste exports.
