Cambodia is drowning in its waste, here’s how it can plug the plastic flow

Just like Thais, Cambodians have a deep-rooted relationship with plastic bags. It’s hard to break up with the clingy habit as it’s a convenience that’s unmatched by any other product.

A polluted canal in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. (Source: Sovann Nou)

Crossing over from Thailand to Cambodia, you don’t expect to see much change on the ground. When you type “Cambodia plastic pollution” on Google, the first story and images to appear are from Sihanoukville. Located in the country’s southwest, Sihanoukville earned the notorious reputation of showing ‘uncomfortable’ images of the country’s problematic relationship with plastic. While it is a fact, there’s a risk that Sihanoukville could become a default template for foreigners’ perception of Cambodia, which may not be the true narrative.