Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas, analysis finds
Germany was the world's largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, shipping 810,000 tonnes abroad, according to an analysis by Watershed Investigations and the Basel Action Network. The UK followed closely, exporting 675,000 tonnes, much of it sent to countries like Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where waste management systems are already strained. An upcoming EU ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries takes effect in November 2026, but concerns remain about shifting waste flows to less equipped regions.
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A waste disposal facility outside Istanbul, Turkey. The country’s waste infrastructure is already overwhelmed and it is also the largest recipient of European plastic waste. Photograph: Sedat Suna/EPAView image in fullscreenA waste disposal facility outside Istanbul, Turkey. The country’s waste infrastructure is already overwhelmed and it is also the largest recipient of European plastic waste. Photograph: Sedat Suna/EPAPlasticsGermany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas, analysis findsUK was close behind, exporting 675,000 tonnes, with much of the waste sent to Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia Leana HoseaThu 30 Apr 2026 10.38 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleGermany was the world’s largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025 and sent more than…
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