Asia's Plastic Waste Crisis: Impact Of Imports

Asia is a major importer of plastic waste from other countries, with imports surging 171% between 2016 and 2018 to over two million tons. In 2016, Asia imported 74% of the world's plastic waste, and in 2020, non-OECD countries in Asia imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste. This has had a significant environmental impact, with much of the waste ending up in incineration or dumped in waterways.

Asia imported 74% of the world's plastic waste in 2016

The plastic waste imported by Asia declined about 72% in monetary value in 2018, following China's ban on plastic waste imports. This caused import quantities to drop to 52 kt in 2018, while exports from the largest exporting countries or regions such as Hong Kong (China), the USA, Japan, and Germany decreased. However, a significant portion of the plastic waste exported by the US ended up in Southeast Asia.

Asia's large share of plastic waste imports is due to the region's strict limits on plastic waste imports from other countries. In 2020, non-OECD countries in Asia imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste. The world generated 242 Mt of plastic waste in 2016, with only 9% recycled, leaving more than 80% to accumulate in landfills or the natural environment.

China was the biggest importer until 2017

Asia imported 74% of the world's plastic waste in 2016, with China (mainland) importing the most plastic waste until 2017, with 5.8 to 8.3 Mt. In 2017, about half of the plastic waste imported by Asia came from other regions, and after subtracting the exported quantity, 98% of the plastic waste was left in Asia for treatment and disposal.

China's ban on plastic waste imports in 2018 caused import quantities to drop to 52 kt, with exports from the largest exporting countries or regions such as Hong Kong (China), the USA, Japan, and Germany decreasing simultaneously. This ban was likely due to the surge in regional imports of plastic waste between 2016 and 2018, which increased by 171% to over two million tons, much of which was contaminated and unprocessable. This mismanaged trash threatened Southeast Asia's environment, as it often ended up being incinerated or dumped in waterways.

Despite China's ban, Asia still imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2020, with non-OECD countries in the region bearing the brunt of these imports. This highlights the continued reliance of Asian countries on plastic waste imports, even as they struggle to manage and dispose of the waste effectively.

While the exact percentage of Asia's plastic waste that is from imports is unclear, it is evident that imports play a significant role in the region's plastic waste crisis.

Plastic waste imports to Asia surged 171% between 2016 and 2018

The surge in plastic waste imports to Asia between 2016 and 2018 highlights the region's struggle with the world's waste. This mismanaged trash often ends up being incinerated or dumped in waterways, threatening Southeast Asia's environment. Asia generates and receives large quantities of plastic waste, and the management and treatment of this waste is a significant challenge for the region.

The global production of resins and fibers, which are used in plastics, has increased significantly over the years, contributing to the growing plastic waste problem. From 1950 to 2015, an estimated total of 6.30 billion tons of plastic waste was generated, with only 9% recycled. This has led to more than 80% of plastic waste accumulating in landfills or the natural environment.

To address the issue of plastic waste imports, Asian countries have started to strictly limit plastic waste imports from other countries. In 2020, non-OECD countries in Asia imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste, indicating that the region continues to receive significant amounts of plastic waste from other parts of the world.

Asia's plastic waste imports declined 72% in monetary value in 2018

Asia imported 74% of the world's plastic waste in 2016, with China (mainland) importing the most until 2017. In 2017, about half of the plastic waste imported by Asia came from other regions, and after subtracting the exported quantity, 98% of the plastic waste was left in Asia for treatment and disposal.

The management and treatment of plastic waste in Asia have been analysed from a regional perspective, and countries in Asia are starting to strictly limit plastic waste imports from other countries. This is due to the adverse environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of plastics. It was reported that the world generated 242 Mt of plastic waste in 2016, with an estimated total of 6.30 billion tons of plastic waste generated from 1950 to 2015. Only 9% of this was recycled, leaving more than 80% to accumulate in landfills or the natural environment.

Between 2016 and 2018, regional imports of plastic waste surged 171% to over two million tons, much of which was contaminated and unprocessable. This mismanaged trash threatens Southeast Asia's environment, as it often ends up being incinerated or dumped in waterways. In 2020, non-OECD countries in Asia imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste.

Asia generates and receives large quantities of plastic waste

The amount of plastic waste generated by Asian countries is estimated at about 121 Mt. In 2016, Asia's share of the world's imports of plastic waste was about 74% (11 Mt). In 2017, 98% of the plastic waste imported was left in Asia for treatment and disposal. Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Malaysia, Taipei (China) acted as transferrers in 2016, but as policy changed, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, etc. became main importers in 2018.

Between 2016 and 2018, regional imports of plastic waste surged 171% to over two million tons, much of which was contaminated and unprocessable. This mismanaged trash threatens Southeast Asia's environment, as it often ends up being incinerated or dumped in waterways. In 2020, non-OECD countries in Asia imported around 1.9 million tonnes of plastic waste.

China’s ban of plastic waste imports caused import quantities to drop to 52 kt in 2018, simultaneously, exports from the largest exporting countries or regions such as Hong Kong (China), the USA, Japan, and Germany decreased.

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