Exports of scrap polyethylene and PET also increased.

The United States exported over a quarter of a million tons of scrap PVC in 2011, up 33% from 2010. Nearly all of this was shipped to China and Hong Kong, with the exception of a small amount also to Vietnam.

US exports of scrap polyethylene were well over a half a million tons in 2011, up 7%. Exports of scrap PET were close to 350,000 tons, up 3%. China and Hong Kong were the top destinations for both materials, with significant volumes of scrap polyethylene also exported to India.

The large volumes of scrap polymer traded globally are a significant factor in the overall global demand picture for polymers.