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.
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.
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.
2024
June | First Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultation
NPAP Cambodia convened its first GESI meeting to gather insights on marginalized groups across the plastics value chain and to confirm locations for key expert interviews.
September | First Metrics Advisory Group (MAG) Meeting
The MAG shared knowledge and provided technical guidance to strengthen the baseline assessment that would inform the roadmap.
October | Second GESI Consultation
Government focal points and stakeholders from ministries, NGOs, academia, and the private sector reviewed and validated draft GESI findings following the key expert interviews. Feedback was incorporated into the final report by end-2024.
November | Second MAG Meeting
The MAG discussed proposed upstream and downstream measures to reduce and better manage plastic waste, assessing their relevance and feasibility in Cambodia’s context.
December | Third MAG Meeting
Participants reviewed the updated baseline, the system-change scenario, and the draft priority actions. Inputs from government, the private sector, academia, and civil society supported final refinements and helped prioritize interventions.
2025
March | Inaugural Steering Board Meeting
NPAP Cambodia convened its inaugural Steering Board meeting, chaired by the Ministry of Environment and co-chaired by the Chip Mong Group.
The meeting brought together over 30 key stakeholders, including Mr. Roath Sith, Deputy Director General of Environmental Protection, alongside representatives from various ministries, the private sector, academia, embassies, and civil society.
July | Roadmap Validation Workshop
NPAP Cambodia convened the final validation workshop to confirm the roadmap’s recommendations and present a pathway to significantly reduce plastic pollution and increase circularity.
The workshop also recognized progress already underway, including public awareness efforts led by the Ministry of Environment and initiatives supported by UNDP and other partners.
2026
January | Roadmap Launch
The Plastic Action Roadmap was launched on 20 January 2026 as a strategic framework to support Cambodia’s ambition for a clean, green, and sustainable future.______________
The plan is strategically aligned with the CLEAN pillar of the nation’s Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028, ensuring plastic reduction efforts are integrated into national environmental modernization goals. The core vision is to abandon the traditional “take-make-dispose” linear model and shift to a circular system where plastics remain within the economy and out of the environment.
H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth
Minister of Environment of Cambodia
