Plastic waste exports in New Zealand
New Zealand: Plastic waste exports was 27,275 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in New Zealand, 1989–2024
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 New Zealand stood at 27,275 tonnes.
The figure is down 3.9% on the previous year and down 43.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in New Zealand peaked at 55,480 tonnes in 2016 and was at its lowest, 286.25 tonnes, in 1990.
That places New Zealand 26th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 389.21 tonnes | 389.21 tonnes | 389.21 tonnes | 1 |
| 1990s | 2,892 tonnes | 286.25 tonnes | 7,282 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 22,984 tonnes | 8,077 tonnes | 40,520 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 43,888 tonnes | 36,776 tonnes | 55,480 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 23,927 tonnes | 20,353 tonnes | 28,377 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More environment data for New Zealand
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 77.84 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 14.71 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 29.69 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.0763 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 0.671 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.0207 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 34.4 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.0183 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.0794 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 3.78 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in New Zealand?
- Plastic waste exports in New Zealand was 27,275 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 55,480 tonnes in 2016.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 286.25 tonnes in 1990.
- How does New Zealand rank for plastic waste exports?
- New Zealand ranks 26th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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.