In 2020, Germany led European plastics waste imports from outside EU27 with 161.75 thousand metric tons, followed by the Netherlands and Sweden with 146.1 and 133.25 thousand metric tons, respectively. Over the past year until 2023, Sweden and Spain showed significant growth with a 15.25% and a 24.25% increase annually. Conversely, Portugal and Cyprus experienced declines of -8.55% and -9.56%. Remarkably, Malta saw the highest growth rate with a 101.46% surge year-on-year. Over five years, average import growth depicted positive trends, particularly in Greece and Romania with noticeable gains.
Future trends to watch for European plastics waste imports Extra-EU27 involve the impact of regulatory changes targeting waste reduction, shifts toward circular economies, and advances in recycling technologies. Emerging strategies may include stricter import policies and increased collaborative efforts within Europe to minimize plastics waste and enhance sustainability.
Top countries in Plastics Waste Imports Extra-EU27 (2020) by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Metric Tons | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 161,750 | 2023 | +4.72% | +3.48% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Netherlands | 146,100 | 2023 | +7.03% | +4.87% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Sweden | 133,250 | 2023 | +5.2% | +15.25% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Spain | 130,580 | 2023 | +22.26% | +24.25% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Denmark | 87,070 | 2023 | +24.1% | +2.74% | View data |
| 6 | 6 France | 53,470 | 2023 | +13.36% | +6.4% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Belgium | 43,380 | 2023 | +1.93% | +1.92% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Portugal | 35,350 | 2023 | +2.52% | -8.55% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Ireland | 34,590 | 2023 | +11.7% | +7.14% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Poland | 32,990 | 2023 | +11.29% | +4.41% | View data |
