# Cambodia [Contact the National Secretariat](mailto:cambodia@globalplasticaction.org) ## Challenges and Opportunities With rapid economic growth and urbanization in recent years, Cambodia has seen a sharp increase in plastic consumption. This has added strain to waste collection services and intensified risks to communities and ecosystems.In 2022, the country generated 546,000 tonnes of plastic waste, or around 33 kg per person. An estimated 42% was sent to dumpsites and only 2% was recycled. The remainder was mismanaged or handled through informal systems that are difficult to monitor and trace.In response to these challenges, the Royal Government of Cambodia is scaling up public awareness efforts and working with development partners to strengthen waste management systems. ## Cambodia Joins the Global Plastic Action Partnership In July 2023, the Royal Government of Cambodia formally joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), marking a strong commitment to addressing the country’s growing plastic pollution challenge.Through this partnership, GPAP supports Cambodia by strengthening technical capacity, facilitating access to global expertise and networks, and helping to build inclusive, multistakeholder platforms.These efforts aim to accelerate progress toward national and global goals while supporting the transition to a circular plastics economy. ## The Cambodia National Plastic Action Partnership The Cambodia National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP Cambodia) aims to accelerate the country’s transition to a circular economy for plastics by fostering knowledge sharing, promoting best practices, and driving impactful action. This platform marks a new chapter in Cambodia's fight against plastic pollution: one rooted in collective action, innovation, and shared responsibility — ensuring that the transition is inclusive and benefits all, leaving no one behind. ## Multistakeholder Participation Since its launch, NPAP Cambodia engaged more than 100 stakeholders across government, business, civil society, and academia.Together, they develop key knowledge products, including a 2022 baseline assessment of plastic waste generation and flows across five plastic categories and the Plastic Action Roadmap, informed by GPAP’s National Analysis Modelling (NAM) Tool. A Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis is also conducted to ensure the needs of marginalized groups are reflected in the roadmap’s recommendations. ### Metrics Advisory Group A technical group of local experts providing specialized insights on plastic management in Cambodia. ### Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Task Force A social focus group that supports and validates the GESI analysis, through an inclusive, context-specific lens. ## Catalog *Browse catalog items* ### Cambodia’s Plastic Action Roadmap Cambodia's Plastic Action Roadmap provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's plastics ecosystem through a baseline analysis and evaluates how upstream and downstream interventions across the plastics value chain could accelerate the transition to a circular economy by 2040.It compares a business-as-usual scenario, in which plastic pollution continues to rise, with a systems-change scenario that demonstrates the environmental, economic and social benefits of coordinated action.The roadmap was developed through a multistakeholder process, bringing together government, industry, recyclers, academia and civil society. [Read more](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/cambodia-action-roadmap/aJYTG00000016hh4AA) ### Full Report [Read here](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/cambodia-action-roadmap/aJYTG00000016hh4AA) ### Executive Summary [Read here](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/cambodia-plastic-action-roadmap---executive-summary/aJYTG00000016kv4AA) ### Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Analysis This report explores Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Cambodia’s plastic value chain, showing how plastic pollution and gaps in waste management disproportionately affect marginalized groups. It highlights impacts on women involved in plastic processing, vending, farming, and fishing, as well as informal waste workers with limited safety measures and social protections, rural and coastal communities living in poverty with inadequate waste services, and artisanal fishers affected by aquatic plastic pollution. The analysis identifies systemic inequities and offers practical recommendations to strengthen livelihoods and ensure disadvantaged groups are central to improved plastics management in Cambodia. [Learn more](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/cambodia-gender-equity-and-social-inclusion-report/aJYTG00000016jJ4AQ) ## Voices from Cambodia's Plastic Value Chain From consumers and shop owners to waste collectors and recyclers, people across Cambodia's plastic value chain are helping shape the country's transition towards a circular economy. Through a series of interviews, NPAP Cambodia highlights their experiences, challenges and innovative solutions, offering a unique perspective on the opportunities to tackle plastic pollution. [Explore the stories](https://www.undp.org/cambodia/documenting-plastic-value-chain-npap-cambodia) ### NPAP Cambodia Secretariat The NPAP Cambodia Secretariat is hosted by UNDP Cambodia, in partnership with the Global Plastic Action Partnership of the World Economic Forum. [Visit NPAP Cambodia website](https://www.undp.org/cambodia/projects/national-plastic-action-partnership-npap) *Partner organizations and sponsors* ### Let's Connect Do you work for a government, business, intergovernmental organization, or civil society? Join forces with GPAP to fast-track our collective progress towards a world free of plastic waste and pollution. [Contact us](mailto:plasticaction@weforum.org) ## Cross-Sector Support *Partner organizations and sponsors* *Partner organizations and sponsors* *Partner organizations and sponsors*