PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth (pic), welcomes and supports partners and the private sector who wish to invest in the fight against plastic pollution and contribute to a cleaner Cambodia.
He made this statement on the occasion of receiving Kim Sangyoung, President of Dahan Corporation of the Republic of Korea, at the ministry on Wednesday (Oct 9).
The Minister said "Plastic waste is my number one enemy. I do not want Cambodia to be polluted with plastic.
"We must unite to reduce the use and eliminate the problem of plastic to protect the lives of the people and for a clean Cambodia."
He added that the fight against plastic waste is a priority activity of the government.
Cleanliness in the “Environmental Chakra Strategy” has been implemented by the ministry to reduce the use of plastic through a campaign strategy, “Clean Cambodia, Khmer can do!” on May 15 this year, with the participation of over 2.5 million people.
This was followed by “Today I will not use plastic bags,” on September 1, with the participation of over 9.5 million people.
The “Clean Cambodia! Khmer Can Do!” campaign was an initiative to encourage students and villagers in, communes, districts, and provinces to clean and collect garbage around houses, schools, pagodas, and public places and to understand the correct management and disposal of plastic waste.
Sophalleth said next year the ministry will provide bins to schools, pagodas, and hospitals to promote the management of plastic waste and take steps towards reducing waste in the future, to ensure Cambodia’s development process is sustainable.
Sangyoung expressed his intention to study the establishment of a plastic waste recycling plant in Cambodia.
He praised the success of the ministry’s recent campaigns to reduce the use of plastic.
The company is currently working with other governments and private partners to help recycle plastic waste and create quality consumer products from the waste for reuse. - Khmer Times
