Hazardous waste generated in China
China: Hazardous waste generated was 105.47 million tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Hazardous waste generated in China, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, hazardous waste generated in China stood at 105.47 million tonnes. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
That represents a change of up 10.8% on the previous year and up 234.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hazardous waste generated in China peaked at 105.47 million tonnes in 2023 and was at its lowest, 8.30 million tonnes, in 2000.
That places China 1st out of 99 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Hazardous waste generated in China, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8.30 million tonnes | — |
| 2001 | 9.52 million tonnes | +14.7% |
| 2002 | 10.01 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 2003 | 11.70 million tonnes | +16.9% |
| 2004 | 9.95 million tonnes | -15.0% |
| 2005 | 11.62 million tonnes | +16.8% |
| 2006 | 10.84 million tonnes | -6.7% |
| 2007 | 10.79 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 13.57 million tonnes | +25.8% |
| 2009 | 14.30 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 15.87 million tonnes | +11.0% |
| 2011 | 34.31 million tonnes | +116.2% |
| 2012 | 34.65 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 31.57 million tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2014 | 36.34 million tonnes | +15.1% |
| 2015 | 39.76 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 2016 | 52.20 million tonnes | +31.3% |
| 2017 | 65.81 million tonnes | +26.1% |
| 2018 | 74.70 million tonnes | +13.5% |
| 2019 | 81.26 million tonnes | +8.8% |
| 2020 | 72.82 million tonnes | -10.4% |
| 2021 | 86.54 million tonnes | +18.8% |
| 2022 | 95.15 million tonnes | +10.0% |
| 2023 | 105.47 million tonnes | +10.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 105.47 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 238,135 tonnes, 442.9× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- China's 105.47 million tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.59 million tonnes, 40.7× the median. (10 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Hazardous waste generated in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +116.2% | 15.87 million tonnes | 34.31 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.06 million tonnes | 8.30 million tonnes | 14.30 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.65 million tonnes | 15.87 million tonnes | 81.26 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 89.99 million tonnes | 72.82 million tonnes | 105.47 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 2 Russian Federation 81.09 million tonnes compare
- 2 Russia 81.09 million tonnes compare
- 4 Kazakhstan 43.89 million tonnes compare
More environment data for China
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.279 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.92 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 5.29 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.8065 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.2517 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is hazardous waste generated in China?
- Hazardous waste generated in China was 105.47 million tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest hazardous waste generated recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 105.47 million tonnes in 2023.
- What is the lowest hazardous waste generated recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.30 million tonnes in 2000.
- How does China rank for hazardous waste generated?
- China ranks 1st out of 99 countries with data for 2023.
- Is hazardous waste generated rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 234.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Hazardous waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).