The European Union exported 33 million tons of waste in 2021, with Indonesia as one of the destinations.

Waste exports from European Union (EU) countries reached 33 million tons in 2021, according to a Eurostat report.

Turkey was the largest destination for EU waste exports, with a volume of approximately 14.7 million tons. This accounts for almost half, or 44.54%, of total waste exports.

The second largest destination for EU waste exports was India, which received almost 2.4 million tons of waste in 2021. Egypt ranked third, receiving 1.9 million tons of waste exports from the EU.

Switzerland received 1.7 million tons of waste exports from the EU, followed by the United Kingdom with 1.5 million tons, Norway with 1.4 million tons, and Pakistan with 1.3 million tons.

Indonesia was also among the top destinations for EU waste exports in 2021, ranking eighth with a total of 1.1 million tons. Meanwhile, the United States and Morocco received 0.9 million tons and 0.6 million tons of waste exports, respectively.

The most exported type of EU waste in 2021 was ferrous metals (iron and steel), totaling 19.5 million tons, or more than half (59%) of all waste exports from the EU.

The following are the top 10 countries for EU waste exports in 2021:

1. Turkey: 14.7 million tons
2. India: 2.4 million tons
3. Egypt: 1.9 million tons
4. Switzerland: 1.7 million tons
5. United Kingdom: 1.5 million tons
6. Norway: 1.4 million tons
7. Pakistan: 1.3 million tons
8. Indonesia: 1.1 million tons
9. United States: 0.9 million tons
10. Morocco: 0.6 million tons