European Union to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries

Starting November 21, 2026, European Union member states will be prohibited from exporting plastic waste to countries outside the OECD. This measure, part of the revised EU Waste Shipment Regulation, aims to prevent the relocation of waste management issues to regions with potentially less regulated processing capabilities.

Recycling Europe warned at the BIR World Recycling Convention that while more material will remain within Europe for processing, the industry faces challenges regarding market demand for recyclates. Without sufficient domestic buyers, there is a risk that increased volumes could end up being incinerated or landfilled instead of recycled.

Currently, the EU produces approximately 40 million tons of plastic waste annually, with exports ranging between 1 and 1.5 million tons. In 2025, roughly half of these exports were destined for non-OECD nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.