Plastic waste exports in China
China: Plastic waste exports was 63,180 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in China, 1992–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, plastic waste exports in China stood at 63,180 tonnes.
That represents a change of down 24.4% on the previous year and up 48.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in China peaked at 165,244 tonnes in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2018.
That places China 14th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10,463 tonnes | 7,674 tonnes | 16,207 tonnes | 8 |
| 2000s | 36,211 tonnes | 10,233 tonnes | 98,890 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 44,646 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 165,244 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 49,537 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 83,536 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More environment data for China
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 15,536 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 11.03 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 498.98 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 32.75 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 736.76 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 3.9 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 1,485 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 4.13 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 5.54 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 195.67 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in China?
- Plastic waste exports in China was 63,180 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 165,244 tonnes in 2016.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2018.
- How does China rank for plastic waste exports?
- China ranks 14th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 48.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.
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CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.