Quarterly plastic waste exports from the United States 2018-2022
The United States exported approximately 114,000 metric tons of scrap plastic in the second quarter of 2022. This was the seventh consecutive quarter that plastic waste exports from the U.S. decreased. In comparison, the U.S. exported almost 350,000 metric tons of scrap plastic in the second quarter of 2018, but shipments plummeted 40 percent the following quarter. This drop in exports was mainly due to China's ban on importing foreign waste items, which impacted many exporting countries around the world.
While U.S. plastic waste shipments have been decreasing, U.S. scrap plastic imports have been on the rise in recent years, signaling increased domestic recycling activity.
While U.S. plastic waste shipments have been decreasing, U.S. scrap plastic imports have been on the rise in recent years, signaling increased domestic recycling activity.
