Plastic waste exports in Brazil
Brazil: Plastic waste exports was 8,988 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Brazil, 1989–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Brazil recorded 8,988 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2024.
The figure is up 43.6% on the previous year and up 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Brazil peaked at 9,905 tonnes in 2003 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2001.
That places Brazil 46th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5,180 tonnes | 5,180 tonnes | 5,180 tonnes | 1 |
| 1990s | 1,069 tonnes | 254.63 tonnes | 3,528 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,854 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 9,905 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,222 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 7,377 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,680 tonnes | 2,301 tonnes | 8,988 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Brazil
More environment data for Brazil
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 1,299 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 6.13 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 471.81 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 4.06 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 33.69 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 2.37 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 621.19 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.3941 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.7906 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 107.92 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Brazil?
- Plastic waste exports in Brazil was 8,988 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Brazil?
- The highest recorded value was 9,905 tonnes in 2003.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Brazil?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2001.
- How does Brazil rank for plastic waste exports?
- Brazil ranks 46th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Brazil?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Brazil data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.