Treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa
South Africa: Treatment of hazardous waste was 428,668 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa, 2006–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 428,668 tonnes for treatment of hazardous waste in 2023.
The figure is up 22.8% on the previous year and up 569.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa peaked at 5.74 million tonnes in 2014 and was at its lowest, 6,080 tonnes, in 2006.
South Africa ranks 21st of 72 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.
Treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6,080 tonnes | — |
| 2007 | 7,285 tonnes | +19.8% |
| 2008 | 9,034 tonnes | +24.0% |
| 2009 | 69,441 tonnes | +668.7% |
| 2011 | 85,054 tonnes | +22.5% |
| 2012 | 17,468 tonnes | -79.5% |
| 2013 | 64,043 tonnes | +266.6% |
| 2014 | 5.74 million tonnes | +8864.8% |
| 2015 | 4.59 million tonnes | -20.1% |
| 2016 | 272,064 tonnes | -94.1% |
| 2017 | 3.44 million tonnes | +1166.0% |
| 2018 | 1.30 million tonnes | -62.4% |
| 2019 | 2.24 million tonnes | +73.1% |
| 2020 | 1.19 million tonnes | -46.8% |
| 2021 | 1.02 million tonnes | -14.6% |
| 2022 | 349,196 tonnes | -65.8% |
| 2023 | 428,668 tonnes | +22.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22,960 tonnes | 6,080 tonnes | 69,441 tonnes | 4 |
| 2010s | 1.97 million tonnes | 17,468 tonnes | 5.74 million tonnes | 9 |
| 2020s | 747,771 tonnes | 349,196 tonnes | 1.19 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More environment data for South Africa
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 8.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.275 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.05 °C (2025)
- Paper and paperboard — Import quantity, annual growth rate 20.46 % change on previous year (2024)
- Paper and paperboard — Import quantity, per unit of GDP 0 t per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Paper and paperboard — Import quantity, per capita 0.012 t per person (2024)
- Paper and paperboard — Import value, annual growth rate 3.25 % change on previous year (2024)
- Paper and paperboard — Import value, per unit of GDP 0 1000 USD per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa?
- Treatment of hazardous waste in South Africa was 428,668 tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest treatment of hazardous waste recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.74 million tonnes in 2014.
- What is the lowest treatment of hazardous waste recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,080 tonnes in 2006.
- How does South Africa rank for treatment of hazardous waste?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 72 countries with data for 2023.
- Is treatment of hazardous waste rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 569.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Treatment of hazardous waste. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment (Tonnes).