Plastic waste exports in Colombia
Colombia: Plastic waste exports was 4,601 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Colombia, 1991–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Colombia recorded 4,601 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2023.
The figure is down 25.0% on the previous year and up 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Colombia peaked at 7,198 tonnes in 2011 and was at its lowest, 24 tonnes, in 1994.
That places Colombia 63rd out of 167 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Colombia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 24.09 tonnes | — |
| 1992 | 92 tonnes | +281.9% |
| 1993 | 47.75 tonnes | -48.1% |
| 1994 | 24 tonnes | -49.7% |
| 1995 | 715.54 tonnes | +2881.4% |
| 1997 | 51.77 tonnes | -92.8% |
| 1998 | 454.71 tonnes | +778.3% |
| 1999 | 482.52 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 214.38 tonnes | -55.6% |
| 2001 | 1,144 tonnes | +433.8% |
| 2002 | 34.56 tonnes | -97.0% |
| 2003 | 349.56 tonnes | +911.5% |
| 2004 | 1,611 tonnes | +360.8% |
| 2005 | 2,316 tonnes | +43.8% |
| 2006 | 3,351 tonnes | +44.7% |
| 2007 | 2,602 tonnes | -22.3% |
| 2008 | 3,236 tonnes | +24.4% |
| 2009 | 2,571 tonnes | -20.5% |
| 2010 | 6,141 tonnes | +138.8% |
| 2011 | 7,198 tonnes | +17.2% |
| 2012 | 6,519 tonnes | -9.4% |
| 2013 | 3,454 tonnes | -47.0% |
| 2014 | 4,401 tonnes | +27.4% |
| 2015 | 5,361 tonnes | +21.8% |
| 2016 | 2,859 tonnes | -46.7% |
| 2017 | 3,197 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 2018 | 2,593 tonnes | -18.9% |
| 2019 | 5,366 tonnes | +107.0% |
| 2020 | 3,804 tonnes | -29.1% |
| 2021 | 6,135 tonnes | +61.3% |
| 2023 | 4,601 tonnes | -25.0% |
Colombia compared with similar countries
- Colombia's 4,601 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 4.3× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Colombia's 4,601 tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 1,293 tonnes, 3.6× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Colombia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +2881.4% | 24 tonnes | 715.54 tonnes |
| 2003 | +911.5% | 34.56 tonnes | 349.56 tonnes |
| 1998 | +778.3% | 51.77 tonnes | 454.71 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 236.55 tonnes | 24 tonnes | 715.54 tonnes | 8 |
| 2000s | 1,743 tonnes | 34.56 tonnes | 3,351 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,709 tonnes | 2,593 tonnes | 7,198 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,847 tonnes | 3,804 tonnes | 6,135 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Colombia
More environment data for Colombia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.4233 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.2774 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.267 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.59 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.9788 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.2077 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Colombia?
- Plastic waste exports in Colombia was 4,601 tonnes in 2023, 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 Colombia?
- The highest recorded value was 7,198 tonnes in 2011.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Colombia?
- The lowest recorded value was 24 tonnes in 1994.
- How does Colombia rank for plastic waste exports?
- Colombia ranks 63rd out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Colombia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Colombia 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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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.