Paper and paperboard waste market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the South African paper and paperboard waste market volume stood at 1 293 K t, supported by a collection network including informal waste pickers that diverted around 1.2 million tonnes of paper from landfills annually. The market then contracted over the next two years, falling to 1 101 K t by 2020.

A recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 1 150 K t as pre-pandemic surplus waste paper stocks held by recyclers and manufacturers were depleted, partly due to COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions. The upturn continued into 2022, reaching 1 252 K t alongside industry optimism and an early-year increase in recycling statistics.

By 2023, the market volume had retreated to 1 157 K t. In the following years, innovations such as brands switching from single-use plastics to recyclable paperboard packaging and a paper recycling rate climbing to 63.3% by 2025 highlighted the ongoing emphasis on recycling infrastructure and consumer preference for sustainable materials.

Production paper and paperboard waste in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 24th globally in terms of paper and paperboard waste production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, paper and paperboard waste production in South Africa increased in 2021. The country produced 1 241 K t that year, marking a 7.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 11%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 1 160 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 10.5% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports paper and paperboard waste from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's paper and paperboard waste exports grew for the second year in a row in 2021. Export volumes reached 144.3 K t, up 45.2% from the previous year. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports overall decreased by 6.9%, averaging a 2.4% annual decline. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 95.7 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 38.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—India, Thailand, and China—accounted for 83.6% of South Africa's total paper and paperboard waste exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2020, while exports peaked in 2021, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa's paper and paperboard waste exports totaled 30 162 K US dollars, a substantial 223.4% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 9 328 K US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 54.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, India, Thailand, and China were the top three markets, collectively representing 83.6% of South Africa's total paper and paperboard waste export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports paper and paperboard waste to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, paper and paperboard waste imports into South Africa rose in 2021. Imports totaled 53.8 K t, reflecting a 31.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 40.9 K t, which also experienced the steepest decline of 17.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana were the leading suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to South Africa by volume. Namibia contributed 26.3%, Zimbabwe 24.0%, and Botswana 17.5%, together making up 67.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed an unstable pattern over the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2020, while imports reached their highest in 2018, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years. In 2021, South Africa's paper and paperboard waste imports amounted to 5 347 K US dollars, a sharp 70.5% rise compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2020 at 3 137 K US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year with a 44.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana formed the core group of suppliers by value. Namibia accounted for 28.4%, Zimbabwe for 19.2%, and Botswana for 18.7% of import value, collectively representing 66.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021