Plastic waste exports in Portugal
Portugal: Plastic waste exports was 53,082 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Portugal, 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
Portugal recorded 53,082 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.8% on the previous year and down 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Portugal peaked at 72,289 tonnes in 2016 and was at its lowest, 846.17 tonnes, in 1993.
That places Portugal 15th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
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 | 2,089 tonnes | 1,892 tonnes | 2,286 tonnes | 2 |
| 1990s | 3,308 tonnes | 846.17 tonnes | 5,944 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 19,350 tonnes | 6,295 tonnes | 47,833 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 59,445 tonnes | 48,365 tonnes | 72,289 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 59,246 tonnes | 53,003 tonnes | 65,854 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More environment data for Portugal
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 53.17 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 4.97 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 4.92 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.296 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 0.9579 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.0441 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 11.4 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.0464 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.0253 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 5.1 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Portugal?
- Plastic waste exports in Portugal was 53,082 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 Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 72,289 tonnes in 2016.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 846.17 tonnes in 1993.
- How does Portugal rank for plastic waste exports?
- Portugal ranks 15th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal 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.