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.
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
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 217.59 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 4.11 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 58.86 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.9621 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 12.17 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.0649 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 94.67 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.0398 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.1875 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 22.38 Mt CO2e (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
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.