Environment minister Eang Sophalleth and Alissar Chaker, UNDP representative, sign the new policy document, which will see plastic waste issues tackled in Phnom Penh and six provinces. Environment ministry
The Ministry of Environment and the UNDP signed the “Improvement of Disposal Capacity of Plastic Litter in Urban Areas” policy document on February 27. The aim of the new collaboration is to enhance sustainable plastic waste management in the capital and six provinces.
The project will target urban regions in Phnom Penh, Kandal and Siem Reap, as well as the coastal provinces – Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk – with the goal of promoting sustainable plastic waste management practices.
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth attended the signing ceremony. He noted that the use and disposal of plastic bags has raised concerns about Cambodia’s cleanliness.
In response, he explained that the ministry has launched a campaign to reduce plastic bag usage.
The purpose of the campaign is to manage and reduce plastic waste through recycling, repurposing and energy recovery, effectively and efficiently.
“The growing amount of plastic waste is putting significant pressure on our solid waste management systems and the environment. Therefore, we must unite to combat this threat and reduce plastic waste in Cambodia to help maintain cleanliness,” he said.
He praised the new project, which he believed would play a crucial role in contributing to the clean environment strategy, especially because of its focus on reducing the use and disposal of plastics.
The project has received financial support from Japan and technical assistance from the UNDP.
Alissar Chaker, UNDP resident representative in Cambodia, expressed her hopes that the project would contribute to further changing behaviour towards sustainably reducing plastic use and boosting Cambodia's circular economy. The project also encourages the participation of women and youth.
Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi also attended the ceremony.
He commended the Kingdom’s efforts to improve environmental quality and pledged support for strengthening cooperation with Cambodia, particularly with the environment ministry, to solve plastic waste issues in urban areas.
Cambodia produces over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily. Of this, Phnom Penh generates between 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes per day – 60 per cent of it food waste and 20 per cent plastic bags.
The environment ministry has launched several campaigns to address the problem, including the “Today, I Will Not Use Plastic” and "Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do” campaigns. Earlier this year, the “National Roads Without Plastic Waste” campaign was also announced.
The Svay Rieng provincial environment department recently conducted public awareness campaigns at two factories in Bavet. Environment ministry
Through these efforts, the ministry believes that over 80 per cent of the population will commit to not using plastic bags by the end of 2025, or the mid-way mark of the seventh-mandate government.
Sophalleth has recommended strengthening education through the ministry’s public awareness campaigns, in schools, pagodas, factories and local communities, as well as the distribution of public rubbish bins.
The government is planning regulatory measures to manage plastic use, particularly single-use plastics, and encourage measures to promote alternative products, plastic recycling and innovative approaches to resolving the issue.
