In 2023, EU exports of recyclable materials grew by 34%, while imports fell by 19%, with India, Turkey, and the UK as key trade partners.
In 2023, the European Union saw a remarkable growth in its exports of recyclable products, reaching 8.5 million tonnes. This represented a 34% increase compared to the 6.4 million tonnes exported in 2022. However, in contrast to the rise in exports, imports of these recyclable products dropped by 19%, falling from 4 million tonnes in 2022 to 3.2 million tonnes in 2023.
Over the longer term, compared to 2013, total exports decreased by 5%, mainly due to a 44% decline in plastic exports over the past decade. Meanwhile, imports remained stable at 3.2 million tonnes over the same period.
Paper was the most exported recyclable product from the EU in 2023, accounting for 81.6% of all exports, with a volume of 7 million tonnes. Plastic followed, representing 15.6% (1.3 million tonnes), and glass ranked third with 2.8% (0.2 million tonnes).
On the import side, paper also led in 2023, with 1.7 million tonnes, representing 51.2% of all recyclable imports. Glass and plastic followed, accounting for 25.4% (0.8 million tonnes) and 23.4% (0.7 million tonnes), respectively.
Regarding export destinations, India was the main receiver of EU recyclable paper in 2023, taking in 32% of the total, followed by Indonesia (17%) and Vietnam (13%). Turkey stood out as the primary destination for recyclable plastic exports, with 22% of the total, followed by Malaysia (21%) and Indonesia (19%).
Recyclable glass exports were predominantly sent to the United Kingdom, which received 39% of the total, followed by Moldova (10%) and Turkey (9%).
As for imports into the EU, the United Kingdom was the top supplier of recyclable products, accounting for 31% of paper imports, 47% of plastic, and 36% of glass. The United States was the second-largest supplier of recyclable paper (29%) and also played a key role in plastic and glass imports, while Switzerland and Norway also held important positions in these imports.
This 2023 report highlights the shifts in international trade of recyclable products within the EU, showing an upward trend in exports and a contraction in imports, all within the context of a dynamic global market.