Plastic waste exports in Rwanda
Rwanda: Plastic waste exports was 963.54 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Rwanda, 2008–2022
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 963.54 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 42.5% on the previous year and up 2,702.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Rwanda peaked at 1,805 tonnes in 2020 and was at its lowest, 10 tonnes, in 2011.
Rwanda ranks 92nd 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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 30 tonnes | — |
| 2009 | 40.13 tonnes | +33.8% |
| 2011 | 10 tonnes | -75.1% |
| 2012 | 34.38 tonnes | +243.8% |
| 2013 | 246.42 tonnes | +616.7% |
| 2014 | 347.19 tonnes | +40.9% |
| 2015 | 274.9 tonnes | -20.8% |
| 2016 | 410 tonnes | +49.1% |
| 2017 | 346.84 tonnes | -15.4% |
| 2018 | 150.93 tonnes | -56.5% |
| 2019 | 840.49 tonnes | +456.9% |
| 2020 | 1,805 tonnes | +114.8% |
| 2021 | 1,675 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2022 | 963.54 tonnes | -42.5% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 963.54 tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 963.54 tonnes, 1.0× the median. (15 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 963.54 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,090 tonnes, 88% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35.06 tonnes | 30 tonnes | 40.13 tonnes | 2 |
| 2010s | 295.68 tonnes | 10 tonnes | 840.49 tonnes | 9 |
| 2020s | 1,481 tonnes | 963.54 tonnes | 1,805 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More environment data for Rwanda
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -5.05 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate -31.63 % change on previous year (2013)
- Standard Deviation 0.268 °C (2013)
- Temperature change 1.35 °C (2013)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.0359 % 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 -1.42 % 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 Rwanda?
- Plastic waste exports in Rwanda was 963.54 tonnes in 2022, 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 1,805 tonnes in 2020.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 10 tonnes in 2011.
- How does Rwanda rank for plastic waste exports?
- Rwanda ranks 92nd out of 167 countries with data for 2022.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,702.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.