Plastic waste exports in Botswana
Botswana: Plastic waste exports was 662.47 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Botswana, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for plastic waste exports in Botswana is 662.47 tonnes, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 73.2% on the previous year and up 124.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Botswana peaked at 1,390 tonnes in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2015.
Botswana ranks 103rd of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Botswana, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 183.54 tonnes | — |
| 2001 | 254.52 tonnes | +38.7% |
| 2002 | 178.15 tonnes | -30.0% |
| 2003 | 115.9 tonnes | -34.9% |
| 2004 | 4.69 tonnes | -96.0% |
| 2005 | 236.01 tonnes | +4931.0% |
| 2006 | 166.6 tonnes | -29.4% |
| 2007 | 437.66 tonnes | +162.7% |
| 2008 | 337.12 tonnes | -23.0% |
| 2009 | 690.03 tonnes | +104.7% |
| 2010 | 515.55 tonnes | -25.3% |
| 2011 | 295.95 tonnes | -42.6% |
| 2012 | 450.53 tonnes | +52.2% |
| 2013 | 295.6 tonnes | -34.4% |
| 2014 | 522.55 tonnes | +76.8% |
| 2015 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2016 | 291.89 tonnes | — |
| 2017 | 137.66 tonnes | -52.8% |
| 2018 | 1,390 tonnes | +909.6% |
| 2019 | 152.69 tonnes | -89.0% |
| 2020 | 391.14 tonnes | +156.2% |
| 2021 | 294.1 tonnes | -24.8% |
| 2022 | 382.43 tonnes | +30.0% |
| 2023 | 662.47 tonnes | +73.2% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 662.47 tonnes is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 62% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 662.47 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,090 tonnes, 61% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Botswana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +4931.0% | 4.69 tonnes | 236.01 tonnes |
| 2018 | +909.6% | 137.66 tonnes | 1,390 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 260.42 tonnes | 4.69 tonnes | 690.03 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 405.22 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 1,390 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 432.54 tonnes | 294.1 tonnes | 662.47 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More environment data for Botswana
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 6.04 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 6.49 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.381 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.443 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -4.05 % 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 0.3323 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Botswana?
- Plastic waste exports in Botswana was 662.47 tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 1,390 tonnes in 2018.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2015.
- How does Botswana rank for plastic waste exports?
- Botswana ranks 103rd out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 124.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.