Plastic waste exports from the European Union 2005-2021
The European Union (EU-27) exported 1.1 million metric tons of plastic waste to non-EU countries in 2021. In 2014, annual plastic waste exports reached a peak of 2.73 million metric tons. However, this figure began to decline in the following years, dropping to 1.6 million metric tons by 2018 – the year China introduced a waste import ban.
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 saw exports there plummet to just 50,300 metric tons in 2018. Turkey is now the main destination for EU waste exports.
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 saw exports there plummet to just 50,300 metric tons in 2018. Turkey is now the main destination for EU waste exports.
