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Future Forum's young research fellow, Ngoun Vandeth, was published on Kiripost on 21st August 2024. Check out the original article here, and read it below!
The problem of plastic waste in Cambodia is a significant concern that needs to be addressed as soon as possible in order to lessen the adverse effects that humans have on the environment.
Even though there are many different contributors, the primary responsibility for this problem lies with large international corporations because of the extensive production and distribution of plastic products that they engage in.
Plastic waste in Cambodia presents a noticeable and significant challenge. The accumulation of plastics in waterways, streets, and natural habitats causes contamination and harm to aquatic and terrestrial life.
Plastics are primarily derived from packaging and products intended for just one use. A growing consumer economy that leads to an increase in plastic consumption, as well as inadequate waste management systems, are some of the factors contributing to the problem's complexity.
It is of the utmost importance that immediate action be taken to address the underlying causes of plastic pollution because of the potential consequences that could be incurred in terms of the environment, the economy, and human health.
Role of Corporations
A view of the city landscape from a high-rise building. The city has many buildings, Phnom Penh, on 28 December 2023. Kiripost/Rov Hongseng
Numerous factories and large corporations mass-produce and distribute vast plastic packaging and containers, contributing significantly to the current market. Additionally, many of these corporations import goods produced elsewhere and distribute them here in Cambodia.
These large corporations do not take any responsibility for supporting or developing the infrastructure needed to collect or process the waste they have created. The only thing that they do is place recycling labels on packaging made of plastic.
These profitable entities must be held accountable for plastic waste disposal and subjected to taxation to fund waste management efforts.
As with any policy intervention, the more we know about a problem, the better. If Cambodia is interested in learning more about the origins of its plastic waste, it should consider following the lead of researchers in the Philippines.
The researchers who were supported by Greenpeace conducted what is called a waste audit, and were able to identify major conglomerates that were responsible for a significant portion of the waste.
The audit found that multinational corporations like Nestlé, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble are the most significant contributors to plastic pollution in the Philippines. This provided essential data that could be used to inform targeted regulatory approaches.
Taking such an approach in Cambodia - to audit our plastic waste - could help to identify the primary contributors to plastic pollution and help the government develop efficient strategies to hold these conglomerates accountable for their products.
By identifying particular businesses, it would be possible to develop interventions and policies that are more narrowly focused on reducing waste produced by these specific companies.
Plastic fills waters in Port Bouet outside Abidjan, Ivory Coast, June 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Diomande Ble Blonde, File)
Regarding policy interventions, Cambodia should also pay close attention to what other countries have tried, both to learn from success and avoid pitfalls. For instance, the idea of imposing a tax on plastic has been extensively discussed worldwide.
Models indicate that this type of tax has the potential to significantly cut down on the amount of plastic waste produced by providing incentives to businesses to reduce their use of plastic and invest in environmentally friendly alternatives.
India's implementation of plastic taxation, for instance, has yielded mixed results, providing valuable insights into how such policies might be optimised to be more effective. For example, adjustments in tax rates and broader enforcement mechanisms could enhance the impact of these measures.
Additionally, the implementation of a plastic packaging tax in the United Kingdom, which encourages the use of recycled materials in product manufacturing, serves as an additional reference that is helpful.
The UK’s policy requires manufacturers and importers to use at least 30 percent recycled plastic by weight in their packaging, or pay a tax which has been assessed at £210.82 (about $273) per tonne of plastic packaging.
This policy not only lessens the overall amount of waste produced by plastic, but it also encourages the development of a circular economy in which materials are recycled and reused more effectively.
A worker categorizes different types of recycled plastic materials at GOMI Recycle facility in Kambol district, February 02, 2024. Kiripost/Siv Channa
Cambodia can develop a robust framework to manage plastic waste if it studies these international examples and adapts similar approaches to its specific context. Implementing such initiatives would entail not only the imposition of taxes but also the establishment of a supportive infrastructure for recycling and waste management.
This would ensure that corporations make a significant contribution to the development of environmentally sustainable practices.
Arguments for corporate responsibility
Corporate participation in the effort to solve the problem of plastic waste is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity.
To encourage businesses to redesign their products, invest in environmentally friendly materials, and enhance their waste management and recycling procedures, the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can be adopted to provide incentives.
Furthermore, the imposition of plastic taxes could generate funds to support recycling infrastructure and environmental clean-up, thereby forcing polluters to pay for the impacts that their products have caused.
Implementing plastic taxes on corporations could provide significant advantages. Such taxes would generate revenue that could be allocated to developing and enhancing waste management systems, thus reducing the financial burden on the Cambodian government.
Data and predictions indicate that policy packages that include taxation have the potential to reduce plastic waste by up to one-third by 2060. For instance, studies indicate that plastic taxes can decrease plastic use by making it economically unattractive for companies to produce and use excessive plastic.
Furthermore, the revenue generated from these taxes can be reinvested in the research and development of sustainable materials and technologies, fostering innovation and creating new economic opportunities.
Legislatively, Cambodia could adopt measures that compel corporations to be accountable for their plastic waste. Implementing obligatory recycling criteria would ensure that companies take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to disposal.
Additionally, waste disposal certifications could be mandated, requiring companies to prove that they have properly managed their waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Such certifications would enforce compliance and promote transparency and accountability within the corporate sector.
An excavator cleans up plastic and other waste materials on Mahim Beach on the Arabian Sea coast on Earth Day in Mumbai, India, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)
Cambodia should consider establishing a dedicated governmental entity or structure under the General Department of Taxation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to effectively supervise and execute these regulations.
This entity would monitor compliance, collect taxes and ensure the funds are used appropriately to improve waste management infrastructure and services. By centralising these functions, the government can streamline efforts to address plastic waste and ensure consistent enforcement of regulations nationwide.
Furthermore, taking concrete steps to tackle the global problem of waste colonialism, such as supporting and implementing the Global Plastics Treaty, has the potential to bolster endeavours aimed at better managing plastic waste worldwide significantly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, big businesses need to play a bigger role in solving the problem of plastic waste in Cambodia. Because these groups produce and sell so many plastic products, they are a major driver of the problem and need to take on responsibility for a solution.
Corporations can help protect the environment and promote environmentally friendly practices by taking on this duty, which will benefit the economy in the long run.
Some of these benefits are lower costs for managing waste, more job opportunities in the recycling industry, and a cleaner environment that is better for people's health and wildlife.
The Cambodian government and business sectors need to coordinate immediately to make big changes in how waste is handled.
The residents of floating village in Kampong Phluk participated in the Harvest Plastic project to collect waste before the arrival of the rainy season. Kiripost/Thang Sinorn
For effective waste management, the government must establish strict rules and build infrastructure supporting them. Companies must also follow these rules and participate in sustainability initiatives.
Imagine a future where the status quo continues unabated. Our waterways will continue to be full of trash, animals will be hurt by eating or getting tangled in plastic, and people will have to live in communities surrounded by growing mountains of garbage.
We can stop this from happening if we act quickly today. Cambodia can make the future cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable for everyone by holding companies responsible and putting in place strong waste management rules.
A worker cleans and packs recycled plastic materials into a black plastic bags, before being transported to GOMI Recycle, at Aeon Mall 3 in Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh, February 20, 2024. Kiripost/Rov Hongseng
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