PHNOM PENH: The National Council for Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Environment supported by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme has launched the innovation challenge for “#BeatPlastic Campaign” last Friday. The challenge calls for innovative ideas for awareness raising campaigns to change behaviors to fight plastic pollution. A total of four winners will be awarded up to $18,000 each of four categories to implement their individual “#BeatPlastic” campaigns.

Advisor to the Minister of Environment and the Project Director of “Combatting Marine Plastic Litter in Cambodia Kith Chankrisna says that the effectiveness of new regulations in reducing plastic pollution depends on improved awareness among stakeholders and active participation of all stakeholder.

He says, “I hope that through this Innovation Challenge we can create collective movements according to the common policy of both the MoE and the Royal Government of Cambodia in reducing plastic pollution and other solid wastes, which then moving towards a life with comfort, good health and clean environment.”

UNDP Cambodia’s Resident Representative Alissar Chaker stresses, “Combatting plastic pollution is not an easy task and requires a strategic approach. This challenge therefore aims to identify and test innovative and effective solutions for campaigns that can raise public awareness and create behavioral change toward the 4Rs.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia Mikami Masahiro has said that Japan is committed to working alongside Cambodia to jointly fight with plastic pollution through the Combatting Marine Plastic Litter project.

In 2018, the MoE set the promotion of the 4Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) framework as a key policy agenda to resolve plastic pollution. The ministry is currently developing new regulatory measures on plastic products.