Plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Plastic waste exports was 912.6 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka, 1990–2024
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 Sri Lanka is 912.6 tonnes, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 185.2% on the previous year and down 38.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka peaked at 1,594 tonnes in 2013 and was at its lowest, 16 tonnes, in 1993.
That places Sri Lanka 95th 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.
Plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 64.69 tonnes | — |
| 1991 | 86.55 tonnes | +33.8% |
| 1992 | 56.49 tonnes | -34.7% |
| 1993 | 16 tonnes | -71.7% |
| 1994 | 56 tonnes | +250.0% |
| 1999 | 49.39 tonnes | -11.8% |
| 2000 | 93.12 tonnes | +88.6% |
| 2001 | 140.66 tonnes | +51.1% |
| 2002 | 116.7 tonnes | -17.0% |
| 2003 | 84.62 tonnes | -27.5% |
| 2004 | 295.5 tonnes | +249.2% |
| 2005 | 367.84 tonnes | +24.5% |
| 2006 | 383.98 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2007 | 504.48 tonnes | +31.4% |
| 2008 | 931.93 tonnes | +84.7% |
| 2009 | 1,161 tonnes | +24.6% |
| 2010 | 1,207 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 998.76 tonnes | -17.3% |
| 2012 | 1,266 tonnes | +26.7% |
| 2013 | 1,594 tonnes | +26.0% |
| 2014 | 1,475 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 2015 | 1,155 tonnes | -21.7% |
| 2016 | 1,281 tonnes | +10.9% |
| 2017 | 981.03 tonnes | -23.4% |
| 2019 | 814.81 tonnes | -16.9% |
| 2020 | 483.4 tonnes | -40.7% |
| 2021 | 165.37 tonnes | -65.8% |
| 2022 | 239 tonnes | +44.5% |
| 2023 | 320.03 tonnes | +33.9% |
| 2024 | 912.6 tonnes | +185.2% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 912.6 tonnes is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 86% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 912.6 tonnes is below the median for South Asia, which is 1,050 tonnes, 87% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 54.85 tonnes | 16 tonnes | 86.55 tonnes | 6 |
| 2000s | 407.96 tonnes | 84.62 tonnes | 1,161 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,197 tonnes | 814.81 tonnes | 1,594 tonnes | 9 |
| 2020s | 424.08 tonnes | 165.37 tonnes | 912.6 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More environment data for Sri Lanka
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.24 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 5.49 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.207 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.849 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 5.63 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 1.22 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka?
- Plastic waste exports in Sri Lanka was 912.6 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 1,594 tonnes in 2013.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 16 tonnes in 1993.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for plastic waste exports?
- Sri Lanka ranks 95th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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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CSV · JSON — 30 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.