In 2022, the European Union exported 6.4 million tonnes of recyclable products (paper, plastic and glass) to non-EU countries, an increase of 8.4% compared to 2021. In contrast, imports totalled 4.0 million tonnes, an increase of 4.2% compared to 2021.

Compared to 2010, total exports of recyclables to non-EU countries decreased by more than a third (-35.2%, from 9.8 to 6.4 million tonnes). Total imports increased by 23.9%, from 3.2 to 4.0 million tonnes.

Recycled paper was the most traded product in terms of both exports and imports

In terms of exports of recyclable products, paper was the most exported recyclable product outside the EU in 2022, accounting for more than three quarters of exports (77.1% and 4.9 million tonnes), followed by plastic (17.5% and 1.1 million tonnes) and glass (5.4% and 0.3 million tonnes), shows Eurostat data. 

In the same year, 2.4 million tonnes of paper were imported, accounting for more than half (59.3%) of all recyclables imported from outside the EU. The second-largest category was plastic (20.6% and 0.8 million tonnes), followed by glass (20.1% and 0.8 million tonnes).

India, Turkey and the UK: main export destinations in 2022

India was the largest destination for EU recycled paper exports in 2022 (29% of total extra-EU paper exports), followed by Indonesia (19%) and Turkey (12%).

Turkey was the largest destination for recyclable plastic exports (29% of total extra-EU plastic exports), followed by Indonesia (17%) and Malaysia (15%).

In 2022, recyclable glass was mainly exported to the UK (46% of total extra-EU glass exports), with Switzerland (11%) and Brazil (9%) trailing behind.

UK: the main supplier of recyclables to the EU

Exports from the EU to non-EU countries imports of recyclable products came mainly from the UK, which accounted for 47% of total paper imports, 45% of plastic imports and 47% of glass imports.

The second-largest supplier of recyclable paper was the United States (20% of extra-EU paper imports), followed by Switzerland (14%). Imports of recyclable plastic also came from the United States (8%), followed by Norway (7%). The second-largest supplier of recyclable glass was Switzerland (14%), followed by Norway (9%).