A new trade database developed by United Nations agencies aims to inform global policy by identifying where plastic-related pollution risks arise and how shifts to alternative materials could reduce – or even create – new environmental pressures.
As a result of fragmented and inconsistent tracking measures worldwide, trade data has not yet played a major role in plastic pollution debates, limiting policymakers’ ability to respond to an issue of global concern, UNCTAD said in a press release.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said its new plastics trade database uses customs data for raw materials, finished products and packaging from nearly 200 economies to provide the first accounting of plastic movements across borders.
The trade data also informs new statistical guidelines to help countries measure plastics trade flows, proposing boundaries of the plastic life cycle, defining key terms, and detailing the main elements for quantifying production, trade, consumption and waste of plastics.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research developed the guidelines, which use common definitions to harmonize data so countries can consistently measure trade flows across the entire plastics life cycle. The UN also offers the Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Adviser (TINA), a tool to help policymakers and researchers perform analysis functions common to trade talks.
The data insights and statistical framework could help advance global plastics treaty negotiations, which have struggled to reach meaningful progress. The talks have been characterized by shifting and at times unclear US policy positions on plastic production limits, and a change in leadership for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which is holding the treaty talks. UNEP convened the INC in 2022 to develop an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, originally expected by the end of 2024.
“By showing how plastics and substitute materials move through trade, these databases help governments align trade policies with environmental action for people and planet,” said Chantal Line Carpentier, head of the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch at UNCTAD.
In addition to quantifying the plastics trade in terms of both volumes and value, the data also indicate where plastics enter markets, which value chains they move through and how early trade decisions shape future pollution risks, UNCTAD said.
Plastics exports grow, destinations more dispersed
Between 2005 and 2023, global plastic exports grew 48%, from 218 million metric tons to 323 million tons, according to the database. In 2023, Asia and Oceania accounted for 59% of global plastics exports, with Europe at 27%, the Americas at 13% and Africa less than 1% of global plastics exports.
In contrast, plastics imports were slightly less concentrated than exports: Asia and Oceania received 43% (131 million metric tons), Europe 31% and the Americas 22%. As a net importer of plastics, Africa increased its share to 5.2%.
And while plastics in the form of raw materials still dominated global exports, finished plastic goods continued to gain share.
Rise in plastic substitutes reflects sustainability goals
In addition, UNCTAD tracks trade in substitutes for plastics intended to reduce plastic at the source, providing data on market size and tariffs. Such materials are mostly in the form of minerals and wood-based fibers, UNCTAD found.
In 2023, although global exports of non-plastic substitutes reached $485 billion, lower by 13.5% from a 2022 peak of $561 billion, mirroring softer international demand for plastics. Even so, UNCTAD said trade in non-plastic substitutes suggested a continuing shift toward more sustainable materials. “As sustainability standards tighten and consumers seek alternatives, non-plastic substitutes remain a resilient and expanding segment of international trade.”
These statistics help inform regional trade analysis and negotiations by shedding light on market size and tariff treatment for alternatives that could reduce plastic at the source.
Since 2016, exports of non-plastic substitutes from developing economies have grown by an average of 5.3% per year, reaching $203 billion in 2023 – signaling their growing role in global markets.
