PHNOM PENH: The Board of Directors of the World Bank approved a project today worth $60 million USD to support the improvement of waste management in Cambodia.

The World Bank said in a statement issued on May 11, 2023, that the Cambodia Solid Waste and Plastic Management Improvement Project is meant to support the government's efforts to improve its solid waste and plastic management procedures. The project aims to increase institutional capacity at the national and sub-national levels to manage solid and plastic waste. It encourages waste collection companies to improve their services and set up a better payment system to create garbage collection operations that are more environmentally, financially and socially sustainable.

The World Bank said that the project will include qualifications for eligible cities and towns to ensure that the participating areas can sustain investments. World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia, Maryam Salim, said that improving the management of solid waste and plastic waste is very important for the economic and social development of Cambodia, especially in the domain of tourism. She said, "This project will also support greater access for households to regular waste collection, and with increased landfill, recycling, and composting capacity, there will be positive impacts for public health, the environment, and tourism.”"

The World Bank statement said that the growth of the economy, urbanization and tourism over recent years has caused a significant increase in solid waste and plastic waste in Cambodia. Garbage collection services and infrastructure are still insufficient while facilities to process and dispose of waste remain scarce. Littering is rampant with plastic and solid waste on the streets and in waterways, while incineration of waste is a growing environmental issue. Efforts to manage waste are also limited due to a lack of regulations and implementation of policies.

The World Bank's project to support the improvement of solid waste and plastic management in Cambodia will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.