Plastic waste exports in Kenya
Kenya: Plastic waste exports was 6,275 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Kenya, 1992–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, plastic waste exports in Kenya stood at 6,275 tonnes.
That represents a change of down 21.7% on the previous year and down 19.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Kenya peaked at 9,843 tonnes in 2015 and was at its lowest, 2.67 tonnes, in 1999.
Kenya ranks 57th 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 Kenya, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 28.06 tonnes | — |
| 1997 | 14.27 tonnes | -49.1% |
| 1998 | 39.12 tonnes | +174.2% |
| 1999 | 2.67 tonnes | -93.2% |
| 2001 | 22.24 tonnes | +733.9% |
| 2002 | 25.99 tonnes | +16.9% |
| 2004 | 234.6 tonnes | +802.6% |
| 2005 | 425.44 tonnes | +81.3% |
| 2006 | 1,234 tonnes | +190.1% |
| 2007 | 1,215 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 2,375 tonnes | +95.6% |
| 2009 | 2,179 tonnes | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 2,938 tonnes | +34.8% |
| 2013 | 7,819 tonnes | +166.2% |
| 2015 | 9,843 tonnes | +25.9% |
| 2016 | 6,530 tonnes | -33.7% |
| 2017 | 7,366 tonnes | +12.8% |
| 2018 | 5,230 tonnes | -29.0% |
| 2019 | 5,717 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 2020 | 3,840 tonnes | -32.8% |
| 2021 | 7,983 tonnes | +107.9% |
| 2022 | 8,012 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 6,275 tonnes | -21.7% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 6,275 tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1,451 tonnes, 4.3× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 6,275 tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,090 tonnes, 5.8× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Kenya 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +802.6% | 25.99 tonnes | 234.6 tonnes |
| 2001 | +733.9% | 2.67 tonnes | 22.24 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.03 tonnes | 2.67 tonnes | 39.12 tonnes | 4 |
| 2000s | 963.98 tonnes | 22.24 tonnes | 2,375 tonnes | 8 |
| 2010s | 6,492 tonnes | 2,938 tonnes | 9,843 tonnes | 7 |
| 2020s | 6,528 tonnes | 3,840 tonnes | 8,012 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More environment data for Kenya
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -8.08 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -4.73 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.27 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.12 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.25 % 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 2.87 % 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 Kenya?
- Plastic waste exports in Kenya was 6,275 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 9,843 tonnes in 2015.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.67 tonnes in 1999.
- How does Kenya rank for plastic waste exports?
- Kenya ranks 57th out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.