Environment ministry undersecretary of state Meas Chanthyda examines one of the mesh bags during the March 3 meeting. Environment ministry
The Ministry of Environment is encouraging supermarkets in Phnom Penh to use mesh bags instead of plastic bags. The initiative aims to reduce plastic usage and its environmental and public health impacts.
On Monday, March 3, ministry undersecretary of state Meas Chanthyda, led a meeting to discuss a new initiative introducing the use of mesh bags instead of plastic for the fruit and vegetable sections off supermarkets.
As the first step, this initiative will be implemented in supermarkets in Phnom Penh.
The meeting was attended by representatives from several supermarkets including Lucky Market, Makro Cambodia, Bayon, Thai Huot and Big C, as well as representatives from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).
The purpose of the meeting was to collect opinions, foster collaboration and discuss the participation of supermarkets before officially launching the use of net bags.
“Mesh bags can be used many times. They are light, clear and strong – a great option to help reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. They are part of the ‘Today, I Will Not Use Plastic’ campaign, which will provide environmental benefits,” the ministry explained.
During the meeting, a representative from the GIZ team delivered a presentation on the use of mesh bags, their benefits for supermarkets and alternative options to plastic bags.
The ministry noted that the supermarket representatives showed interest in the introduction of the new bags, and will discuss further implementation with their teams.
Cambodia generates over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, with Phnom Penh alone contributing between 3,000 and 5,000 tonnes per day. The waste consists of 60 per cent food waste and 20 per cent plastic bags.
The environment ministry launched the “Today, I Will Not Use Plastic” campaign in September 2023 to improve public health, urban aesthetics and the overall environment, while also promoting the national economy by encouraging the use of locally produced alternatives to plastic bags.
Additionally, the “Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do” campaign was launched in May 2024. The ministry also announced a new initiative “Plastic-Free National Roads” in early 2025.
The ministry is confident that through these campaigns, more than 80 per cent of citizens will commit to not using plastic bags by the end of 2025.
At the “Mangrove Peace Festival” celebration in Koh Kong province last weekend, environment minister Eang Sophalleth urged the public to reduce plastic use to prevent environmental pollution from plastic waste on land, in the air and in the water.
He advised the participants at the festival to dispose of waste responsibly and to consider using waste to create plastic banks for collection and sale, which could help increase community income and assist families in need.
He also noted that the ministry is studying the use of solar-powered waste incinerators to address future plastic waste challenges.
He urged citizens not to burn plastic in open areas, as this causes environmental damage and harms the life expectancy of both humans and animals.
