Plastic waste exports in Jamaica
Jamaica: Plastic waste exports was 16,938 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Jamaica, 1997–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, plastic waste exports in Jamaica stood at 16,938 tonnes.
The figure is down 7.4% on the previous year and up 2,202.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Jamaica peaked at 18,291 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 16.04 tonnes, in 2005.
That places Jamaica 34th out of 167 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
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 | 220.84 tonnes | 75.58 tonnes | 336.57 tonnes | 3 |
| 2000s | 256.84 tonnes | 16.04 tonnes | 670.04 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,511 tonnes | 25.64 tonnes | 10,691 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,420 tonnes | 9,018 tonnes | 18,291 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
More environment data for Jamaica
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 9.42 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 3.32 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 0.43 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.0303 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 0.0828 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.0028 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 0.8368 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.004 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.0136 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 0.2734 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Jamaica?
- Plastic waste exports in Jamaica was 16,938 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 Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 18,291 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.04 tonnes in 2005.
- How does Jamaica rank for plastic waste exports?
- Jamaica ranks 34th out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,202.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Jamaica 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.
Download this data
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About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.