Data from the Statistical Office of the EU (Eurostat) showed that the amount of plastic waste from this bloc to Malaysia last year increased by 35% compared to 2022. The EU exported 8.5 million tonnes of paper, plastic, and glass to other countries in 2023, up 34% from the year before, of which over a fifth of its destined for dumps in Malaysia.
The countries in the EU have a recycling system. That’s why it would be a waste of money to export plastic.
There is one exception: it’s when someone pays for the plastic waste.