Plastic waste exports in Iceland
Iceland: Plastic waste exports was 7,721 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Iceland, 1988–2024
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 Iceland stood at 7,721 tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.5% on the previous year and up 74.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Iceland peaked at 10,672 tonnes in 2020 and was at its lowest, 19.6 tonnes, in 1988.
Iceland ranks 49th 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 22.23 tonnes | 19.6 tonnes | 24.86 tonnes | 2 |
| 1990s | 1,087 tonnes | 540.44 tonnes | 1,407 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,503 tonnes | 1,362 tonnes | 4,707 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,459 tonnes | 3,997 tonnes | 8,561 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,729 tonnes | 3,281 tonnes | 10,672 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
- 46 Brazil 8,988 tonnes compare
- 47 El Salvador 8,675 tonnes compare
- 48 Nigeria 8,319 tonnes compare
- 50 Guatemala 7,155 tonnes compare
- 51 Mauritania 6,843 tonnes compare
- 52 Tajikistan 6,675 tonnes compare
More environment data for Iceland
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 4.28 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 11.08 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 0.2793 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.0015 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 0 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.0001 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 0.4807 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.0021 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 0.194 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Iceland?
- Plastic waste exports in Iceland was 7,721 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 10,672 tonnes in 2020.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.6 tonnes in 1988.
- How does Iceland rank for plastic waste exports?
- Iceland ranks 49th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 74.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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.