Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth attributed the sharp decline to the plastic-free campaign, which was launched on Sept 1, 2023. - PPP
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has seen a significant drop in the imports of plastic bags after the South-East Asian country launched a plastic-free campaign more than five months ago.
An Environment Ministry's report released on Wednesday (Feb 7) showed that some 30 companies imported 33.5 tonnes of plastic bags in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 49 per cent from 65.7 tonnes in the third quarter last year.
The imports of plastic bags had dropped up to 80 per cent in January this year to 12 tonnes from 62.2 tonnes in the same month last year, the report added.
Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth attributed this sharp decline to the plastic-free campaign, which was launched on Sept 1, 2023 and has so far supported by more than 4 million people.
"The dramatic drop in plastic bag imports clearly shows that people are committed to reducing the use of plastic bags for the sake of the country's clean, green and sustainable development," he told Xinhua.
The minister also expressed his sincere thanks to all participants in the plastic-free campaign for their contributions to protecting the environment, hoping that more people will continue to join this campaign for a plastic-free Cambodia.
"A clean and green Cambodia will importantly contribute to attracting more tourists and investors," Sophalleth said.
He also urged people to plant more trees in order to achieve 60 per cent forest cover and a carbon-neutral country by 2050. - Xinhua
