U.S plastic scrap exports in H1 2021, by destination
The United States is one of the biggest exporters of plastic scrap in the world. In the first half of 2021, Canada imported 190.1 million pounds of U.S. plastic scrap, making it the main destination for exports during this period.
In previous years the U.S. sent large quantities of plastic waste to China, but a ban on imports in 2018 meant the U.S. had to look elsewhere. In 2019, new regulations regarding plastic shipments were approved under the Basel Convention - which the U.S. did not join - and came into effect in January 2021. These regulations were designed to prevent the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries. Despite this, the U.S. exported large quantities of scrap plastics to developing countries between January and June 2021, with Malaysia importing the most at more than 100 million pounds. The U.S. is one of the largest plastic waste producers worldwide.
In previous years the U.S. sent large quantities of plastic waste to China, but a ban on imports in 2018 meant the U.S. had to look elsewhere. In 2019, new regulations regarding plastic shipments were approved under the Basel Convention - which the U.S. did not join - and came into effect in January 2021. These regulations were designed to prevent the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries. Despite this, the U.S. exported large quantities of scrap plastics to developing countries between January and June 2021, with Malaysia importing the most at more than 100 million pounds. The U.S. is one of the largest plastic waste producers worldwide.
