The Global Plastic Trade: A Massive Shipping Problem

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with the world producing over 400 million tonnes of plastic annually, and plastic pollution reaching every corner of the planet, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops. While most plastic waste is managed and recycled within countries, around 5 million tonnes were traded internationally in 2020, with Germany and Japan being the largest exporters. The trade in plastic waste is decreasing, with China banning imports, but overall waste trade is increasing, and the amount of plastic waste traded is likely rising as well. The bulk of plastic waste ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or leaks into the environment, with only 9% successfully recycled.

The US shipped 7 million tons of plastic trash to China annually

The United States used to ship about 7 million tons of plastic trash to China annually, where much of it was recycled into raw materials. However, in 2017, China banned the import of most types of plastic waste, drastically reducing the amount of global plastic waste it imported. This ban came about due to growing environmental and health concerns, as much of the plastic waste from the US was contaminated with food or dirt, or was non-recyclable and had to be landfilled in China.

The Chinese crackdown on plastic waste imports has had a significant impact on the global recycling industry. China's decision to cut back on imports has left the US and other wealthy nations scrambling to find alternative solutions for their plastic discards. Communities across the US have halted their recycling programs or curtailed collections, leading to an increase in plastic waste ending up in landfills or being incinerated.

Prior to the ban, 95% of the plastics collected for recycling in the European Union and 70% in the US were sold and shipped to Chinese processors. The favorable shipping rates and China's low labor costs made it a profitable venture for American recyclers. However, the ban has resulted in a decline in plastic waste exports from the US, with a 96% reduction since its peak in 2012.

The US has continued to export a significant amount of its plastic waste to other countries, particularly those with poor waste management systems. Countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, have become the newest hotspots for handling US plastic recycling. These countries offer cheap labor and limited environmental regulations, but often lack the infrastructure to properly handle recyclables, leading to further environmental and social harm.

While the decline in plastic waste exports from the US to China is positive for the environment and receiving countries, it highlights the need for better waste management practices and infrastructure globally. It also underscores the importance of reducing plastic consumption and improving recycling technologies to address the growing plastic pollution crisis.

Europe is the biggest exporter and importer of plastic

The world generates around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, with 19 million tonnes leaking into the environment annually. While most of the world's plastic waste is handled domestically, a small amount is traded internationally. In 2020, around 5 million tonnes of plastic waste was traded globally, a slight decrease from 6 million tonnes in 2019.

While exporting spare plastic waste helps manage a country's plastic emissions more cheaply and reduces pressure on local recycling facilities and landfills, it has also led to wealthier nations dumping contaminated recycling plastic packages in poorer countries with inadequate waste management systems. This has resulted in an increase in ocean plastics, with up to 5% of the world's ocean plastics coming from rich countries exporting their waste overseas. To address this issue, the EU announced a ban on plastic waste shipments from EU to non-OECD countries, which will come into force in 2026.

The global plastic trade has declined by two-thirds since 2010

The global plastic trade has witnessed a significant decline in recent years, underscoring the challenges and complexities in managing plastic waste effectively. The reduction in trade since 2010 is notable, with a two-thirds decrease in volume, dropping from over 15 million tons in 2010 to less than 5 million tons annually in recent years. This issue demands attention, given the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean degradation.

Several factors have contributed to this substantial decline in the global plastic trade. One of the primary reasons is the implementation of stringent waste import restrictions by China, which was previously the main destination for global waste exports. China's "National Sword" policy, initiated in 2017, placed strict limits on the import of specific waste materials, culminating in a comprehensive ban on most plastics a year later. This decisive move by China set a precedent for other countries to follow suit, with Malaysia also enforcing severe restrictions on waste imports. As a consequence, thousands of ships laden with illegal contaminated materials have been returned to their originating countries, unable to find alternative destinations.

The decline in the global plastic trade is also influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, although its impact appears to be less significant. While the pandemic may have disrupted supply chains and economic activities, the plastic trade volumes remained relatively stable, with only a slight decrease from 6 million tons in 2019 to 5 million tons in 2020. This suggests that factors other than the pandemic are driving the long-term downward trend in the plastic trade.

It is worth noting that the majority of plastic waste management occurs within the countries that produce it. The world generates approximately 350 million tons of plastic waste annually, and only a small fraction, about 2%, is traded internationally. The remaining waste is typically handled domestically through recycling, landfilling, or incineration. However, the effectiveness of these domestic waste management strategies varies, and the lack of proper infrastructure and regulations in some countries contributes to the ongoing plastic pollution crisis.

The trade in plastic waste has significant implications for the environment and public health, particularly in developing nations. The export of plastic waste from wealthier countries to those with inadequate waste management systems exacerbates the problem. The improper disposal and treatment of plastic waste in these regions contribute to clogged waterways, intensified air pollution, and the infiltration of toxic substances into local ecosystems and human health. Therefore, addressing the global plastic trade decline requires a multifaceted approach that promotes sustainable waste management practices, international collaboration, and the enforcement of regulations to curb plastic pollution effectively.

Rich countries contribute 1.6% to 11% of ocean plastics through shipping waste

While it is often assumed that rich countries ship most of their plastic waste overseas, this is not the case. Many countries export some of their waste, but they still handle most of it domestically. For example, in 2010, the UK exported about 5% of its plastic waste, while France exported 11% and the Netherlands exported 14%. However, these numbers only consider plastic waste that is emitted domestically and do not take into account the fact that many countries export plastic waste overseas.

If a country like the UK were to export a large amount of its plastic waste to countries with poor waste management systems, it could have a significant indirect impact on ocean pollution. This is because the risk of plastic waste entering the ocean is higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management practices. In 2020, low-to-middle-income countries imported around 1.6 million tonnes of plastic waste from rich countries, with Asia being the primary recipient.

Estimates suggest that a few percent, possibly up to 5%, of the world's ocean plastics could come from rich countries exporting their waste overseas. This could bring the total contribution of rich countries to ocean plastics through shipping waste to around 10%: 5% directly from rivers in these regions and an additional 5% from trade. However, it is important to note that the true figure is likely to be lower, as traded plastic waste is more likely to be managed effectively than waste handled domestically.

In conclusion, while rich countries contribute a small percentage of ocean plastics through shipping waste, the impact of their waste exports on ocean pollution is influenced by the waste management capabilities of the recipient countries. To reduce plastic pollution effectively, it is crucial to address the issue of plastic waste trade and improve waste management systems globally.

The US exports plastic waste to countries with poor waste management

The US is one of the top exporters of plastic waste, shipping over 1 million tons of plastic waste per year to other countries. While the US is not the only country to export its plastic waste, it stands out for sending a significant portion of its waste to countries with poor waste management systems and limited environmental regulation.

In 2017, the US exported 276,200 shipping containers (1.5 million metric tons) of plastic waste to countries with inadequate waste management infrastructure. This number has barely changed in recent years, with the US continuing to export more than 1 million tons of plastic waste annually to similar destinations.

The countries receiving this waste often lack the capacity to effectively and sustainably manage, process, and recycle the large volumes of plastic they receive. For example, Malaysia, the largest recipient of US plastic recycling since China's ban on waste imports in 2017, mismanaged 55% of its own plastic waste. Other countries, such as Bangladesh, Laos, Ethiopia, and Senegal, offer cheap labor and limited environmental regulations, making them attractive destinations for US plastic waste exports.

The practice of exporting plastic waste to these countries has severe consequences for public health and the environment. The pressure to "divert" plastic waste, or avoid sending it to landfills, has been a significant driver of this trend, as the US lacks the domestic reprocessing capacity to handle all of its plastic waste. Recycling companies also play a role, seeking to avoid responsibility for plastic waste management by shipping it to developing countries with looser standards and regulations.

To address this issue, some US states and cities have implemented taxes or bans on single-use plastic bags. Additionally, corporations in the private sector have made commitments to reduce or eliminate their plastic production. However, more comprehensive action is needed to ensure that the US takes responsibility for its own waste and does not contribute to environmental degradation and public health risks in developing countries.

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