The historical data of US imports of plastics waste or scrap shows significant variation over the last decade. The import value in 2023 stood at $276.53 million, marking a slight 1.05% increase from the previous year. Looking back, the trends have seen an initial growth phase between 2013 and 2014, followed by fluctuations marked by notable declines in 2015 and 2020. However, the years after 2020 showcased a return to growth, though at a tempered pace. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2019 to 2023 was relatively low at 0.56%. Future projections indicate a steady increase in import values with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of 0.85% leading up to 2028.

Future trends to watch for:

The effect of global recycling policies and trade regulations on plastics waste imports.
Technological advancements in recycling that could influence the volume and type of plastics waste imported.
Potential shifts in the domestic production and consumption of plastics, impacting import needs.