Total US plastic exports
Monthly averages, in kilograms
Jan-Jun
2017
Jul-Dec
2017
Jan-Jun
2018
Jul-Dec
2018
Jan-Mar
2019
China
60M KG
China cuts its imports
Hong Kong
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia see big increases in the amount of US plastic being shipped to their ports.
40M KG
Facing devastating environmental consequences, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam tightly restrict imports of plastic waste.
20M KG
Malay.
Thail.
Viet.
Indo.
0
Turk.
Though in much smaller amounts, US exports are now reaching small developing countries with little ability to deal with their own plastic waste
Jan-Jun
2017
Jul-Dec
2017
Jan-Jun
2018
Jul-Dec
2018
Jan-Mar
2019
After China closes its doors, the amount of plastic recycling Turkey takes in soars
2M KG
Shipments begin making their way to countries which had previously handled virtually no US plastic
1M KG
Senegal
Turkey
Ecua.
Camb.
Phil.
Bang.
0
Gha.
Guardian graphic. Source: US Census Bureau
Total US plastic exports
Monthly averages, in kilograms
Jan-Jun
2017
Jul-Dec
2017
Jan-Jun
2018
Jul-Dec
2018
Jan-Mar
2019
Though in much smaller amounts, US exports are now reaching small developing countries with little ability to deal with their own plastic waste
China
60M KG
China cuts its imports
Jan-Jun
2017
Jul-Dec
2017
Jan-Jun
2018
Jul-Dec
2018
Jan-Mar
2019
After China closes its doors, the amount of plastic recycling Turkey takes in soars
Hong Kong
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia see big increases in the amount of US plastic being shipped to their ports.
40M KG
2M KG
Shipments begin making their way to countries which had previously handled virtually no US plastic
Facing devastating environmental consequences, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam tightly restrict imports of plastic waste.
20M KG
1M KG
Senegal
Turkey
Malay.
Thail.
0
Ecua.
Camb.
Phil.
Viet.
Bang.
Indo.
Gha.
0
Turk.
Guardian graphic. Source: US Census Bureau