Plastic waste exports in Greenland
Greenland: Plastic waste exports was 120.5 tonnes in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Greenland, 1994–2018
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2018, plastic waste exports in Greenland stood at 120.5 tonnes. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is up 47.0% on the previous year and up 502.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Greenland peaked at 120.5 tonnes in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.024 tonnes, in 1996.
Greenland ranks 122nd of 167 countries on this measure, 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 Greenland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0.06 tonnes | — |
| 1996 | 0.024 tonnes | -60.0% |
| 1997 | 30.06 tonnes | +125158.3% |
| 1998 | 40 tonnes | +33.1% |
| 2008 | 20 tonnes | -50.0% |
| 2013 | 37.6 tonnes | +88.0% |
| 2014 | 53.87 tonnes | +43.3% |
| 2015 | 90 tonnes | +67.1% |
| 2016 | 60.72 tonnes | -32.5% |
| 2017 | 82 tonnes | +35.0% |
| 2018 | 120.5 tonnes | +47.0% |
Greenland compared with similar countries
- Greenland's 120.5 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,588 tonnes, 3% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Greenland's 120.5 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7,198 tonnes, 2% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17.54 tonnes | 0.024 tonnes | 40 tonnes | 4 |
| 2000s | 20 tonnes | 20 tonnes | 20 tonnes | 1 |
| 2010s | 74.12 tonnes | 37.6 tonnes | 120.5 tonnes | 6 |
Countries ranked near Greenland
- 119 Azerbaijan 131.19 tonnes compare
- 120 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 130.19 tonnes compare
- 121 Faroe Islands 128.73 tonnes compare
- 123 Bahamas 100.48 tonnes compare
- 124 Palau 92.68 tonnes compare
- 125 New Caledonia 41.38 tonnes compare
More environment data for Greenland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.3961 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.605 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.17 °C (2025)
- Nutrient potash K2O (total) — Agricultural Use 1 t (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth US$ 1.82 % (2024)
- Nutrient potash K2O (total) — Use per capita 0.02 kg/cap (2024)
- Country area — Area 41,045 1000 ha (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Share of GDP 24.29 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Share of GDP 17.66 % (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Greenland?
- Plastic waste exports in Greenland was 120.5 tonnes in 2018, 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 Greenland?
- The highest recorded value was 120.5 tonnes in 2018.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Greenland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.024 tonnes in 1996.
- How does Greenland rank for plastic waste exports?
- Greenland ranks 122nd out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Greenland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 502.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Greenland 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.