Global trade in plastic waste and scrap declined further (2017-2022) in 2022. The
combined trade surplus of OECD Member Countries (i.e. the difference between exports
and imports) continued to decrease. Less plastic waste and scrap is being exported
by OECD countries to non-OECD countries, however some countries still export substantial
volumes to non-OECD countries. Particularly several non-OECD south-east Asian countries
remain large export destinations. Trade between OECD countries has increased. The
value and composition of plastic waste and scrap exports in 2021 suggests that more
high value and easy to recycle plastic waste was traded. Some volume of plastics waste
is likely transformed into a “fuel” via mechanical and chemical processing and subsequently
shipped as Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF) or Refuse-Derived Fuels (RDF), broadly
categorised under HS 3825. There was an increase in this trade mostly between OECD
countries in 2021. The trade regime remains dynamic with new export destinations emerging,
which deserve further monitoring.