Plastic waste exports in India
India: Plastic waste exports was 2,621 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in India, 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
The most recent figure for plastic waste exports in India is 2,621 tonnes, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 29.6% on the previous year and down 70.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in India peaked at 29,944 tonnes in 2010 and was at its lowest, 122.7 tonnes, in 1999.
That places India 76th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 578.72 tonnes | 321.28 tonnes | 836.15 tonnes | 2 |
| 1990s | 855.12 tonnes | 122.7 tonnes | 1,869 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 8,919 tonnes | 653.21 tonnes | 25,577 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 11,570 tonnes | 2,804 tonnes | 29,944 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,692 tonnes | 2,023 tonnes | 5,840 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More environment data for India
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 4,371 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 3.01 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 572.27 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 37.74 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 108.11 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 4.39 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 861.61 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 1.01 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 2.4 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 135.23 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in India?
- Plastic waste exports in India was 2,621 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 29,944 tonnes in 2010.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 122.7 tonnes in 1999.
- How does India rank for plastic waste exports?
- India ranks 76th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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.