US Exports of Plastic Waste and Scrap Declined 14% in 2017

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The exports of plastic waste and scrap by the US slowed down considerably during the previous year. The exports were down by 14% during the year. Meantime, the imports edged higher by 4% in 2017. The above analysis is based on the most recent data published by the US Census Bureau.

The US exports totaled $632.88 million in 2017, sharply down by 14% when compared with the exports of $733.76 million recorded during 2016. The top export market for plastic waste and scrap from the US was China. The country imported nearly $190.81 million, accounting for almost 30% of all shipments by the US. The US exports to China recorded notable decline of nearly 33% over the previous year.

The second largest importer was Hong Kong with import quantity totaling $130.97 million. The imports by Hong Kong too witnessed sharp year-on-year decline of over 38%. The country received more than one-fifth of total plastic waste and scrap exported by the US. The other key export destinations were Canada ($67.93 million), India ($58.37 million) and Vietnam ($45.75 million).

The above five top destinations accounted for 78% of the total US shipments. Out of the total $632.88 million shipments, almost $493.83 million were shipped to these five destination countries.

The imports of plastic waste and scrap by the US registered modest rise by 4% to total $221.51 million in 2017. The imports had totaled $212.57 million in 2016. The top five suppliers during the year were   Mexico ($85.68 million), Canada ($52.03 million), China ($11.41 million), Honduras ($9.91 million) and Ecuador ($6.92 million). These top five exporters accounted for nearly 75% of the total US imports during 2017.

The imports from Mexico and Honduras declined marginally in 2017. On the other hand, the US imports from China rose sharply by 45%. The imports from Canada and Ecuador too were up when compared with 2016.