Stakeholders used the platform of the recent Waste Summit 2023 – themed “Why Waste Separation Matters” – to issue calls for the public to pay closer attention to the correct disposal and separation of waste, which they said remains a major concern for Cambodia.

German think tank Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) hosted its annual waste summit at the Factory Phnom Penh in the capital’s Meanchey district. The May 13 event featured a photographic exhibition, panel discussions and guest lectures, as well as product displays and sales from more than 50 companies and start-ups involved in the recycling sector.

A KAS press release noted that despite the issue receiving increasing attention – and the number of initiatives that are attempting to address it – correct waste management and disposal remain major concerns in Cambodia.

It added that as Cambodia’s economy continues to expand, so does the amount of waste it generates. A government report stated that the Kingdom produces over 10,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, or four million tonnes per year. Much of this waste ends up in landfills, or worse, is disposed of in lakes or rivers, or burned.

“Waste in Cambodia is generally mixed together. This includes dangerous substances and hazardous waste, as well as electronic products, or e-waste. A lot of Cambodian households still have limited knowledge about proper waste disposal, for instance the concept of waste separation,” it continued.

KAS country director Daniel Schmucking noted that modern methods of waste management and disposal – or waste separation – have not been widely adopted in the country. At the same time, he highlighted Cambodia’s lack of the latest waste management technology.

“Last year’s summit was a great success. We discussed the role of the informal sector in addressing waste management in Cambodia. This year, we are proud to bring back this flagship event with a new focus on waste separation and why it matters”, he said.

Schmucking added that the foundation wanted this year´s summit to be a platform for discussing and promoting the concept of waste separation to people from all walks of life. They also hoped that it would provide an opportunity for the representatives of state institutions, investors and people working in the sector to network, discuss challenges and come up with solutions for better waste management.

Heng Nareth, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Environment and secretary-general of the municipal solid waste management committee, addressed the opening of the event, saying the summit was an excellent forum for finding solutions to the problem of waste management.

“The government, the environment ministry and several other stakeholders are making great efforts to reform the environmental sector. Municipal solid waste management is one of our top priorities,” he said.

He estimated that more than 50 per cent of municipal solid waste is organic. The disposal of mixed waste, he added, is one of the toughest challenges facing the Kingdom, as it is the main source of pollution in landfills, and makes it very difficult to recycle.

“Waste management is the responsibility of every member of society. It requires a personal understanding of environmental problems and a strong personal commitment to change our own behaviour,” he said.

He noted that the separation of waste materials at the level of households, restaurants, hotels, factories and other businesses – and their separate collection – is a precondition for the development of the local recycling industry.

“Furthermore, it is essential for reducing the environmental pollution generated by solid waste,” he added.