Battambang town has been recognised as a model in terms of municipal waste management for its achievement in recycling waste into compost and plastic waste into other materials for use, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

In a report published earlier this month, the UNDP said that previously, Battambang town faced challenges in waste management just like others across the country.

However, thanks to many years of efforts and cooperation with national and international organisations, the private sector and other relevant parties, Battambang is now recognised as a model town for having clean air and recycling almost all waste into compost and other materials.

Thanks to fruitful efforts, UNDP and the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Cambodia (NCDD) in cooperation with the Swedish embassy in Cambodia had jointly arranged an exchange visit to recycling facilities in the town.

Many officials took part in a recent visit to acquire new knowledge on municipal waste management, and regulatory and recycling solutions that can contribute to the Kingdom’s economic growth.

Deputy head of Kep provincial administration Se Muth, who was also present during the visit, told The Post that he was more interested in the work of managing and recycling plastic waste into other materials than producing compost from it.

“Kep province is a coastal area, [so] we need to manually recycle plastic waste into other objects to reduce litter with plastic waste. The Battambang town administration has effective solutions to the waste crises. The town is a model not only for Kep but also for all towns in Cambodia,” he said.

Battambang provincial governor Moul Thun told The Post that waste management is a daunting task if relevant parties do not participate, especially the locals.

“We are very proud when there are assessments by the UNDP, NCDD and [diplomatic] representatives, Battambang town is a model in terms of waste management and recycling and [known for] clean air,” he said.

Thun said the provincial and town authorities will introduce measures for waste management and recycling, and social work.

Battambang Provincial Administration has prepared an additional dump ground on 20ha in Banan district’s Ta Kream commune to mitigate social and environmental impacts.

The present dump ground spans 8ha in Battambang town’s Slaket commune. It is now a place for producing waste into compost and recycling objects such as glasses, bottles, tents and hoses.

COMPED vice director and compost project manager Sam Phalla said that currently, Battambang town produces between 180 tonnes and 240 tonnes of solid waste a day, which are disposed of at the old dump ground.

In cooperation with provincial authorities and Cintri (Cambodia) Co Ltd waste collection company, his organisation had collected between five and seven tonnes of waste to be recycled into compost.