Environmental officials and Sihanoukville councilors clean up National Road 4 as part of the “National Roads Without Plastic Waste” campaign. Environment ministry
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth launched the ‘National Roads Without Plastic Waste’ campaign on January 1, with the goal of ensuring the Kingdom’s national roads are free of plastic waste by the end of 2025.
The campaign follows extensive participation from leaders, local authorities at all levels, civil servants, teachers, students and other citizens in trial cleanup activities along roads like national roads 3, 4, 41 and 51. The goal is to make roads clean and free of scattered plastic waste.
“The National Road cleanup campaign will contribute to enhancing the beauty of cities and urban areas along national highways across the country, ensuring they are more attractive, hygienic, orderly and liveable while also drawing more investors and tourists to Cambodia,” the minister explained.
The Ministry of Environment has developed an action plan to implement the campaign.
The minister called on all stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, municipal and provincial administrations, local authorities, teachers, students and citizens, to organise cleanup activities at their respective localities and strengthen waste management systems, especially the disposal of plastic waste.
He urged continued participation in the other campaigns to reduce plastic usage, such as “Today I Don’t Use Plastic” and “Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do It”, which aim to provide clean surroundings and promote Cambodia’s cleanliness.
The “Today I Don’t Use Plastic” campaign has seen the participation of over 9.7 million students and citizens, while the “Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do It” has recorded 3.6 million participants.
In 2024, Cambodia’s efforts to reduce plastic use resulted in an over 80 per cent reduction in plastic imports and a similar reduction in litter along roads in 11 provinces compared to 2023.
The “National Roads Without Plastic Waste” campaign will further support the "Clean Our Homes" initiative, preparing a clean environment for tourists, as well as local and international investors.
On December 23, the government of Japan donated 10 garbage trucks to support Cambodia’s “Cleanliness” campaigns. The trucks will strengthen waste collection and transportation to disposal sites in seven municipalities. Previously, Japan donated 20 garbage trucks to the environment ministry.
The ministry has also distributed 63 incinerators, 88 trucks, 161 tricycles and thousands of trash containers to commune administrations, schools, health centres and pagodas to ensure proper waste disposal, improve cleanliness and prevent littering, thus enhancing environmental quality at the local level.
Cambodia generates nearly four million tonnes of waste annually, or more than 10,000 tonnes daily nationwide. Phnom Penh alone produces up to 5,000 tonnes of waste per day.
