MONITORING TRADE IN
PLASTIC WASTE AND SCRAP
Countries trade plastic waste and scrap increasingly with partners in their region. In 2022, regional exports of plastic waste reached
The global export volume of plastic waste has decreased by almost a half over the past 6 years.
49% DECREASE
IN PAST 6 YEARS
12.4 MILLION
TONS
79%
2017 2017
in OECD Europe
6.3
2022
TONS
In 2022, OECD countries' decreased exports while imports increased. GLOBAL EXPORT
IN CONTRAST,
BY 4.9%
EXPORTED
BETWEEN
in OECD North America
MILLION
OECD countries are transitioning from export dependence to a more neutral trade balance.
VOLUMES DECLINED
66 %
THE SHARE OF PLASTIC WASTE TO OR TRADED
AMONGST EUROPEAN
COUNTRIES
2021 AND 2022
INCREASED BY 15%
4.9%
15%
Under the Basel Convention, countries report on certain amounts traded. In 2021, OECD countries reported 17,193 tonnes of plastic waste trade subject to the PIC* procedure, which promotes shared THIS IS SMALL responsibility and COMPARED TO 5.2 MT PLASTIC WASTE cooperation in the OF EXPORTS REPORTED BY THESE COUNTRIES global trade of TO UN COMTRADE hazardous chemicals.
* Prior Informed Consent
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oe.cd/il/plastic-trade