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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Leana Hosea

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas, analysis finds

United Kingdom Germany European Union Turkey Malaysia OECD Europe Indonesia the EU Commission
Dogs sit on top of a huge dumping ground of plastic waste
A waste disposal facility near Istanbul, Turkey. The country’s waste infrastructure is already overwhelmed and it is also the largest recipient of European plastic waste. Photograph: Sedat Suna/EPA

Germany was the world’s largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025 and sent more than 810,000 tonnes abroad, according to analysis of trade data carried out for the Guardian.

The UK followed close behind, according to the analysis by Watershed Investigations and the Basel Action Network. It exported more than 675,000 tonnes, its highest level in eight years and enough to fill about 127,000 shipping containers.

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