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Exports of used plastics continue to decline sharply

Nearly 27 percent less waste plastic was exported in the first half of 2021 compared to the previous year.

 

According to preliminary figures from the German Federal Statistical Office, as reported by Euwid, only 355,600 tons of plastic waste went abroad in the first six months of 2021. The authority puts the value of the total exported volume at 118 million euros, putting the price per ton at 332 euros, compared with 262 euros per ton in the first half of 2020. Exports from Germany to Asia reportedly continued to decline, while imports also continued to fall sharply, with a drop of almost 17 percent. From January to June, 207,000 metric tons of used plastics were imported, compared with around 248,500 metric tons in the first half of the previous year. The largest customer for used plastics from Germany, albeit with a minus of nine percent in a half-year comparison, was the Netherlands with 73,500 tons in the first half of the year. After initially strong growth, exports to Turkey totaling 59,000 metric tons of used plastics increased only slightly by two percent, according to the figures. The Federal Statistical Office recorded an increase of 19 percent for exports to Poland, where more than 35,000 tons were exported from Germany by June. Exports to the Czech Republic fell by half to slightly less than 10,000 tons. Exports to Malaysia fell to just 27,000 tons, a drop of 59 percent on a half-yearly comparison. Exports to Indonesia and Vietnam almost came to a standstill. In contrast, the Federal Statistical Office recorded an increase of almost five times for exports to South Korea, with 11,200 metric tons of used plastics.

 

Sources:

  • euwid-recycling.de (30.8.2021)
  • Photo: Fotolia

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