In 2023, the EU exported 8.5 million tonnes of recyclable merchandise (paper, plastic and glass) to extra-EU nations, a 34% improve from 2022 (6.4 million tonnes), whereas imports dropped by 19% to three.2 million tonnes, down from 4.0 million tonnes in 2022. In contrast with 2013, these exports fell by 5%, from 9.0 to eight.5 million tonnes (largely attributable to a 44% drop in plastic exports between 2013 and 2023), whereas imports remained steady at 3.2 million tonnes.
In 2023, paper was essentially the most exported recyclable product, representing 81.6% of exports (7.0 million tonnes), adopted by plastic (15.6%; 1.3 million tonnes) and glass (2.8%; 0.2 million tonnes). In the identical 12 months, 1.7 million tonnes of paper have been imported, accounting for over half (51.2%) of all recyclable merchandise imported. The second-largest import class was glass (25.4%; 0.8 million tonnes), adopted by plastic (23.4% and 0.7 million tonnes).
India, Indonesia and Vietnam: Principal export locations for recyclable paper in 2023
In 2023, India was the biggest vacation spot of recyclable paper exports (32% of whole extra-EU paper exports), adopted by Indonesia (17%) and Vietnam (13%).
Supply dataset: DS-045409
As for exports of recyclable plastic, Türkiye was the biggest vacation spot (22% of whole extra-EU plastic exports), adopted by Malaysia (21%) and Indonesia (19%).
In 2023, recyclable glass was predominantly exported to the UK (39% of whole extra-EU glass export), Moldova (10%) and Türkiye (9%).
United Kingdom: high provider of recyclable merchandise to the EU
Additional-EU imports of recyclable merchandise got here largely from the UK, which accounted for 31% of whole paper imports, 47% of plastic and 36% of glass imports.
The second-largest provider of recyclable paper was the USA (29% of extra-EU paper imports), adopted by Switzerland (18%). Imports of recyclable plastic additionally got here from the USA (8%), adopted by Norway (7%). The second-largest provider of recyclable glass was additionally the USA (29%), adopted by Switzerland (12%).
Supply dataset: DS-045409
For extra info
- Statistics Defined article on worldwide in recyclable merchandise
- Thematic part on worldwide commerce in items
- Database on worldwide commerce in items
Methodological notes
The next mixed nomenclature (CN) codes are used for this text: