Cambodia's capital to target plastic bag pollution

Cambodia's capital to target plastic bag pollution

Deutsche Presse-Agentur November 24, 2015

In 2010, Prime Minister Hun Sen blamed flooding in Phnom Penh on plastic bags, threatening fines of 20,000 riel (5 dollars) for people who litter, but little came of his plans.

Phnom Penh - Phnom Penh is to try to cut plastic bag use in the capital, joining other South-East Asian cities like Manila, Ho Chi Minh City and Penang, a media report said Tuesday.

UNESCO and the Ministries of the Environment and Tourism will launch the program Friday aimed at reducing the use of plastic bags and raising awareness about the dangers of littering.

 The project will initially target the Riverside district, an area close to the Royal Palace and popular with both international tourists and local residents, but regularly littered in plastic bags and other refuse.

 "It starts with us," Eang Siphan, governor of the district, told the Phnom Penh Post.

 "The authorities always have to educate people to divide rubbish and plastic that could affect the environment.

  "While Cambodia has several waste policies in places, implementing them has been a challenge. International grocery stores in Phnom Penh already charge a small fee for plastic bags, but smaller shops and kiosks often hand out multiple plastic bags with each purchase.

 In 2010, Prime Minister Hun Sen blamed flooding in Phnom Penh on plastic bags, threatening fines of 20,000 riel (5 dollars) for people who litter, but little came of his plans.

 It is also common to see people drop plastic wrapping on the ground immediately after use, or leave litter by the side of the road for collection by waste pickers, who take the most valuable pieces like glass and metal for resale but often leave the rest in the street.