In a major effort to combat the growing issue of plastic waste, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a landmark agreement in February.
The project, titled "Improvement of Disposal Capacity of Plastic Litter in Urban Areas" aims to enhance sustainable plastic waste management in key urban and coastal regions across the country.
The initiative will target key urban and coastal regions, including Phnom Penh, Kandal, Siem Reap, and Tbong Khmum, as well as the coastal provinces of Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Preah Sihanouk.
The primary goal is to promote the 4R framework—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—to minimize plastic waste pollution on land and in the ocean.
Financial and technical support
The project is financially supported by the government of Japan with a grant valued at 378 million Japanese yen, while the UNDP will provide technical assistance, leveraging its global expertise to drive innovation and behavioural change towards sustainable practices.
Addressing plastic pollution challenges
Cambodia faces significant environmental challenges due to rapid economic growth, which has led to a substantial increase in solid waste, particularly plastic. The country produces over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, with Phnom Penh alone generating between 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes per day, of which 20% is plastic.
Plastic consumption in Cambodia is synonymous with daily life. In Phnom Penh alone, around 10 million plastic bags are used on a daily basis. Small-to-medium enterprises are the driving force behind Cambodia’s growing economy, but the densely populated service sector encourages large scale distribution and consumption of convenient and cheap plastic products. From food vendors to clothing retailers, most items we are consuming are wrapped, packaged or served using plastic.
Beyond the service sector, plastic consumption is a pervasive reality at all levels in the supply chain. Combined with a lack of waste management infrastructure, effective recycling of plastic waste in Cambodia is nearly impossible. As a result, waterways and green spaces are burgeoning heaps of plastic and garbage.
Considering the scale and complexity of the problem, tackling plastic will require cross-sector evaluation, the production and promotion of viable plastic alternatives, national and sub-national capacity building, effective communication strategies, and improved education on environmental matters.
National campaigns and strategies
The Ministry of Environment has launched several campaigns, including "Today, I Will Not Use Plastic" and "Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do," to reduce plastic usage. The new project is a key part of a global initiative to promote a circular economy and engage women and youth in sustainable practices.
Global context and prospects
This initiative is in line with broader international efforts to address plastic pollution, including ongoing negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty. Cambodia aims to contribute to the global fight against plastic pollution by adopting sustainable waste management practices, while enhancing its own environmental sustainability.
Source UNDP
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