The OECD has been monitoring trade in plastic waste and scrap since 2021 and publishes annual monitoring reports. OECD’s work on plastics responds to growing global concerns about the environmental and human health impacts of plastic pollution. Since 2018, the international trade landscape for plastic waste has changed dramatically, following the People’s Republic of China’s (hereafter China) import restrictions under its “National Sword” policy and following amendments to the Basel Convention and the OECD Council Decision on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Waste that entered into force in 2021.
While proponents of plastic waste trade argue that it supports global recycling markets by moving materials to countries with processing capacity and comparative advantage, critics warn it can lead to the dumping of low-quality waste in low- and middle-income countries, where infrastructure for environmentally sound management may be lacking. Monitoring plastic waste trade flows is therefore essential to ensure transparency, prevent environmental harm and support the development of effective international policies that align trade with circular economy goals and global efforts to end plastic pollution. The 2025 edition of the monitoring report tracks plastic waste trade developments through 2023. What are some key insights?
Trade volumes have nearly halved since 2014
Global exports of plastic waste and scrap have more than halved since 2014 [from 15.58 million tonnes (Mt) in 2014 to 6.04 Mt in 2023]. This change largely manifested following China’s import bans in 2018, after which trade patterns also shifted. In 2023, trade between OECD Member Countries in Europe (2.96 Mt) made up nearly half of global trade.
Non-OECD countries remain key export destination
Globally, five of the 20 largest export destinations in 2023 were non-OECD Member Countries. Malaysia overtook the Netherlands as the top global destination for plastic waste, receiving 0.61 Mt. Non-OECD Member Countries like Viet Nam and Indonesia saw rising imports in 2023 (by 3% and 26% to the previous year, respectively), reflecting a shift in export patterns despite international controls. The Netherlands, Germany and Türkiye remained the largest importers of such wastes within the OECD.
OECD countries are moving toward balanced trade, but the trend has reversed recently
Export volumes from OECD countries have dropped sharply since 2014 (from 10.5 Mt to 5.5 Mt in 2023), while import volumes have remained relatively stable, indicating a move toward more balanced trade with less being exported to non-OECD countries. However, most recent data for 2023 shows a small reversal with exports from OECD members rising slightly (from 5.3 Mt in 2022 to 5.5 Mt in 2023).
Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States were the top OECD exporters in 2023
Year-on-year trends between 2022 and 2023 show that exports rose notably in the United Kingdom (likely linked to an underreporting in 2022 numbers), Spain, Ireland and France, while Germany, Slovenia, Belgium and Poland experienced declines (top graph). Some OECD Member Countries continue to export most of their plastic waste and scrap exports to non-OECD Member Countries (bottom graph). The volume of exports from OECD Member Countries to non-OECD Member Countries grew by 15% (from 1.47 in 2022 to 1.69 in 2023), which halted the previously observed trend towards a reduction. In 2023, the six largest OECD exporters to non-OECD Member Countries were Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The value of plastic waste and scrap traded among OECD countries tends to be higher
Plastic waste traded between OECD countries tends to have higher value per kilogram than exports to non-OECD countries, suggesting intra-OECD trade is generally of higher quality or more recyclable. This trend has persisted in recent years, despite additional trade controls that apply through the Basel Convention.
Exports of vinyl chloride waste, a hazardous plastic subject to stricter controls, have declined but still persist
OECD countries continue to export some waste of vinyl chloride polymers to non-OECD countries, despite stricter trade controls that apply to this waste. In 2023, approximately 19.3% of these exports (0.03 Mt) were destined to non-OECD countries, two-thirds of which were reported by Japan.
