Waste management is one of the top two biggest challenges after traffic in Cambodia. It causes serious environmental and public health problems due to a large amount of municipal waste being dumped into open dumping sites, roads, drains, water bodies such as rivers and oceans etc. Household waste generate per capita (0.487 – 0.70 kg/day), Household wastes 55.3% Hotel/Restaurants 30.5% , markets/shops 12.9% and office 1.4%. Waste composition in Phnom Penh foods/organic wastes 51.9%, plastic 20.9%, paper 9.9%, wood 2.3%, and metal, glass, fabric 15%. Nationwide household solid waste generation 10,000 tons/day, Phnom Penh 3,000 tons/day, Sihanouk Ville 600 tons/day, Siem Reap 400 tons/day, in total 3.65 to 4 million tons/year. Collected by contracted companies 41%, Recycled (aetchay): 11% while the remaining 48% non-manageable which is significantly harmful to nature, it pollutes our air we breathe, our rivers, ocean, water quality, and food security is at threat. Cambodia is in a transition period toward full-scale waste management infrastructure development and the implementation of the laws. More than ever before, it’s crucial for Cambodia as a nation to voice out and take action to cleanup legacy trash in nature especially in the rivers and oceans and to stop peoples from littering by all means. River Ocean Cleanup is established to lead actions, assist/coordinate all relevant environmental waste control activities.
List of policies and legislations: