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Germany's exports of plastic waste fell further in 2021

Germany's exports of plastic waste fell in 2021. According to the BDE, exports to other countries fell by around a third. Among other things, industrial films, production waste and food packaging were analysed.

Germany's exports of plastic waste to other countries fell significantly in 2021. Around 697,000 tonnes of plastic exports were transported last year, a third (32 percent) less than in 2020, according to the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management Industry (BDE). Among other things, industrial films, production waste and food packaging were analysed.

Overall, the Positive decline in exports to be assessed. According to BDE boss Peter Kurth, domestic demand for raw materials has increased. Also stronger import restrictions by Asian countries and the coronavirus pandemic, including disrupted supply chains are likely to have played a role in the decline. However, the decline so significant that a trend can be derivedThe export volume had already fallen last year, according to Kurth - by nine per cent at the time. The export figures for the months of January to October come from the Federal Statistical Office, the months of November and December are estimates from the BDE.

Waste exports pollute the environment

Especially Waste exports to countries outside the EU are controversial. Again and again, improper utilisation occurs and the exports end up as waste in the landscape. In the meantime Asian countries more restrictive on importsto protect the environment. This is why there have been significant changes when looking at the list of importers. For years, the main customer was China, which led to side effects locally: The quality of the waste that China imported was sometimes low and was only partially recycled properly - other Parts remained as waste in the environment. 

German waste exports do not always end up in the right recycling centres, but instead pollute the environment in countries such as Malaysia.
German waste exports do not always end up in the right recycling centre, but instead pollute the environment in countries such as Malaysia. (Image: Rich Carey/Shutterstock)

A few years ago, Beijing reacted and tightened the import regulations for waste. The Waste streams shifted to other Asian countriesas of 2018, Malaysia, for example, was the largest importer of German plastic waste. However, India, Indonesia and Vietnam also received large quantities, some of which were disposed of carelessly.

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Markets are shifting

This also resulted in more restrictive waste imports. According to the new statistics, the picture has now changed significantly. Malaysia is in the past year Slipped from first place to fourth place among the largest importers of German plastic waste. The volume shrank from 170,000 tonnes to 46,000 tonnes. Hong Kong, Indonesia and Vietnam have completely slipped out of the top 10. The Netherlands is the new frontrunner with a plastic import volume from Germany of 136,000 tonnes last year, which was 12 percent less than in 2020. Exports to neighbouring EU countries such as the Netherlands are generally viewed less critically, as the recycling standards there are similarly high. 

Turkey takes second place in the new ranking and thus moved up one place - despite a quarter reduction in volume to 99,000 tonnes. Poland's volume rose by a fifth to 79,000 tonnes, putting the country in third place in the waste ranking. And also Germany continued to import waste last year - According to the figures, 446,000 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2020, nine per cent less than in 2020.

Mixed response

BDE-Head Kurth clarifies that Plastics exports a "domestic European issue" are. The politically desired reduction in exports is already taking place, but the desire is for a "functioning circular economy in which waste is utilised as raw materials and does not end up as waste", said Kurth. To this end, companies in other countries could buy waste and use it in products that are not manufactured in the exporting country.

Environmentalists in particular take a very critical view of the issue of waste exports and warn of environmental damage, as the fate of waste in poorer countries is barely monitored. In Turkey, for example, there have been repeated reports in the past of Non-recyclable waste landed.

Exports to other continents are also causing unease in parts of the waste management industry. Michael Wiener, head of the Green Dot according to the BDE: "Germany and Europe should be able to fulfil their Recycle plastic waste yourself". That would also Create jobsfurther investment in the recycling infrastructure is also urgently needed.

Source: BDE

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