Plastic waste exports drop below 1 million tons for the first time in 15 years

Plastic waste exports fall below 1 million tons for the first time in 15 years.

Last year, Japan exported about 900,000 tons of plastic waste, which was less than 1 million tons for the first time in 15 years due to the ban on China. On the other hand, in Japan, the amount of plastic garbage stored by local governments is still high, and how to reduce garbage emissions remains an issue.

According to JETRO = Japan External Trade Organization, the amount of plastic waste exported by Japan last year was 898,000 tons, down 10.9% from 18,000 tons.

This is because China, the largest recipient, banned imports in principle at the end of 2017, and it is the first time in 15 years since 2004 that exports have dropped below 1 million tonnes.

Malaysia is the largest export destination with over 260,000 tons, followed by Taiwan with over 150,000 tons, and Vietnam with over 110,000 tons.

Exports to China amounted to 19,000 tonnes, a significant 97% decrease from 2016 before imports were banned.

However, according to the Ministry of the Environment, the amount of plastic waste stored by local governments and industrial waste disposal companies has been high in Japan since China stopped accepting it.

Furthermore, import regulations on plastic waste are spreading to Malaysia and Vietnam.

JETRO states, "It is becoming more difficult to respond from the perspective of searching for a new export destination for plastic waste.

US: 660,000 tons

Last year, the United States exported 662,000 tons of plastic garbage, according to the ISRI, an organization made by American recyclers. This is a significant 38% decrease compared to over 1.07 million tons.

Of this, 17,000 tons were exported to China, a significant 97% decrease compared to 2016, before imports were banned, as in Japan.

According to ISRI, the United States has been the world's largest exporter of plastic garbage to adults since 2008, surpassing Japan, the world's largest exporter.

Japan and the U.S. have reversed since JETRO announced last year that Japan's exports were 898,000 tons.

Apart from Japan and the United States, Germany is the country with the largest exports, with over 1.06 million tons of adults surpassing Japan. However, Germany's exports of plastic waste last year have not yet been announced.