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Plastics and Trade | Plastics and the Environment Series

Last updated: 30 May 2023

Plastics | Chemicals and Pollution | Trade and Environment

International trade flows are central to the production, consumption and disposal of plastic products. Consequently, trade policy can play an important role in tackling the plastic pollution crisis. This page is part of our Plastics and the Environment series, a set of online resources on the plastics crisis, its impact on people and the environment, and international cooperation to address this global problem. They include resources and news from organizations in Geneva and beyond, including UN-system organizations and other IOs, governmental authorities, civil society organizations, academic institutions and journals, and renowned newspapers.

Global Trade in Plastics

Trade plays a central role in the global plastics economy. Across the life cycle of plastics, international trade is a vehicle for the spread of plastics across borders, whether as virgin plastic, embedded in products or as waste. According the UNCTAD, trade in plastics accounts for $1 trillion USD each year, which corresponds to about 5% of the total value of merchandise trade. In 2021, plastics trade reached records-high at 1.2 trillion USD. The challenge comes from the huge diversity of plastic products, including packaging and plastic embed in other products, that are traded globally and become part of the waste stream that countries are faced to manage, often unsuccessfully, resulting in leakages to the environment.

Plastic Waste Trade

In 2018, about 8 million metric tonnes of plastic waste were traded internationally, amounting for around 3.3 billion USD. Plastic waste trade is a challenge, especially for importing developing economies where infrastructure to manage waste in an environmentally sound manner may be lacking. Since 2021, plastic waste trade is regulated under the Basel Convention. Learn more in our resource page below focused on waste management, recycling and trade.

In Focus | Plastic Waste Management, Recycling and Trade

Trade Policy to Tackle Plastic Pollution

As international trade flows are central to the production, consumption and disposal of plastic products, trade policy can play in important role in tackling the global plastic pollution crisis. Many countries are already taking actions, such as restricting imports or exports of plastic waste, banning single-use plastics, or using ecolabels to impact plastics trade. Experts on trade and the environment are calling for more concerted action to develop trade policy frameworks that support global action to end plastic pollution.

Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues | Plastics and Trade

Plastic Pollution at the WTO

At the global level, governments have started to discuss the role of trade to address plastic pollution at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since 2020, the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (IDP) explores how the WTO could contribute to efforts to reduce plastics pollution and promote the transition to more environmentally sustainable trade in plastics. Find more information in our dedicated page on international cooperation to address the plastic crisis.

In Focus | International Cooperation on Plastic Pollution

More on the Plastics Crisis

Our special series “Plastics and the Environment” provides resources on the status of the global plastic pollution, its impact on people and the environment, and international cooperation to address the plastics crisis.

Learn more