Plastic waste exports in South Africa
South Africa: Plastic waste exports was 44,367 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in South Africa, 2000–2024
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 South Africa is 44,367 tonnes, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of up 42.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in South Africa peaked at 44,367 tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2016.
South Africa ranks 18th of 167 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4,510 tonnes | 1,343 tonnes | 12,010 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 13,991 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 31,087 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,183 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 44,367 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More environment data for South Africa
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 569.81 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 8.9 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 25.85 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 1.31 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 40 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.1686 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 93.23 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.055 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.1946 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 25.44 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in South Africa?
- Plastic waste exports in South Africa was 44,367 tonnes in 2024, 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 44,367 tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for plastic waste exports?
- South Africa ranks 18th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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 — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.