{"id":54911,"date":"2022-01-12T16:15:44","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T15:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=54911"},"modified":"2022-01-12T16:32:12","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T15:32:12","slug":"exports-of-plastic-waste-decreased-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/exporte-von-kunststoffabfall-2021-gesunken\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany's exports of plastic waste fell further in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Overall, the Positive decline in exports<\/strong> 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<\/strong> are likely to have played a role in the decline. However, the decline so significant that a trend can be derived<\/strong>The 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<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Waste exports pollute the environment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Especially Waste exports to countries outside the EU<\/strong> 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 imports<\/strong>to 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<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"German\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
German waste exports do not always end up in the right recycling centre, but instead pollute the environment in countries such as Malaysia.\n(Image: Rich Carey\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A few years ago, Beijing reacted and tightened the import regulations for waste. The Waste streams shifted to other Asian countries<\/strong>as 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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Markets are shifting<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This also resulted in more restrictive waste imports. According to the new statistics, the picture has now changed significantly. Malaysia<\/strong> is in the past year Slipped from first place to fourth place among the largest importers of German plastic waste<\/strong>. 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<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Turkey takes second place in the new ranking<\/strong> 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<\/strong> - According to the figures, 446,000 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2020, nine per cent less than in 2020.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Mixed response<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

BDE<\/a>-Head Kurth clarifies that Plastics exports a \"domestic European issue\"<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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<\/strong> landed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

Source: <\/em>BDE<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

More news<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLactips and SmartSolve are developing water-soluble packaging.\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe new material should enable flexible packaging that quickly dissolves in water after use, without leaving behind microplastic residues.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tIfco reusable containers re-certified Cradle to Cradle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tIFCO's European Lift Lock reusable containers have received Cradle to Cradle certification in Silver for the third time. This award underscores the sustainability and circularity of the packaging solutions.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAccident frequency in corrugated board factories is comparatively low\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tFEFCO publishes the 2025 safety statistics for the European corrugated board industry.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSanner bundles subsidiaries under one brand\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tIn parallel, the corporate group is expanding its production capacities in Greensboro.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPPWR: The packaging industry faces transformation\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe PPWR is coming into effect on August 12th. With its implementation, companies will face a fundamental reorganisation of their processes \u2013 concerning packaging, but also the handling of data and supply chains.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLego opens innovation centre for production and packaging\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tA focus is also placed on the development of new packaging processes.\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"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.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","rank_math_description":"Deutschlands Exporte von Kunststoffabfall sind 2021 gesunken. Die Exporte gingen laut BDE um rund ein Drittel zur\u00fcck. ","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Kunststoffabfall,Exporte von Kunststoffabfall","rank_math_title":"Deutschlands Exporte von Kunststoffabfall sind 2021 gesunken","_earpaper_enabled":false,"_earpaper_voice_id":"","_earpaper_audio_url":"","_earpaper_audio_id":"","_earpaper_article_id":"","_earpaper_status":"","_earpaper_error":"","_earpaper_duration":0,"_earpaper_generated_at":"","csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[65,61,54,59020],"class_list":["post-54911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-maerkte","tag-abfalltechnik-und-recycling","tag-endverpacken","tag-kunststoff-und-verbunde","tag-statistisches-bundesamt","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"acf":[],"vimeo_video":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}