The World Bank board of executive directors has approved a $60 million International Development Association credit to support Cambodia’s improvement of solid waste and plastic management.

The Cambodia: Solid Waste and Plastic Management Improvement Project will be co-financed by a grant from the PROBLUE Trust Fund to the tune of $3 million, the international bank said in a statement.

The project aims to support Cambodia’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity for solid waste and plastic management at national and sub-national levels, and enhance the performance of the private sector engaged in waste services.

It will also help to improve waste fee systems to support improved solid waste operations that are environmentally, financially, and socially sustainable.

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The project design incorporates qualifying criteria for municipalities for participation in the project and to ensure the readiness of participating municipalities to sustain investments.

It will be implemented by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, together with the relevant sub-national administrations.

This follows one of Cambodia’s priorities in the national agenda as stated in the Municipal Waste Management Policy 2020-2030, the World Bank wrote, quoting Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng.

“Supporting implementation of Sub-decree No. 113 on solid waste management to enhance the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of waste services and management, and protect public health, environmental and landscape aesthetics in Cambodia is an important priority,” said Sar Kheng, who is also Interior Minister.

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According to the bank, economic growth, urbanisation, and tourism have led to a substantial increase in solid waste and plastics use in Cambodia over the years.

As a result of low collection rates and inadequate treatment and disposal of waste, the dumping of waste and plastics in the environment and waterways, street littering, and the practice of burning have become widespread.

In addition, inadequate regulatory frameworks, policies, and enabling conditions are limiting the effectiveness of waste management efforts, it said.

World Bank country manager for Cambodia Maryam Salim said improved solid waste and plastic management is critical for Cambodia’s economic and social development, including its tourism sector.

“Marine plastic pollution is a transboundary issue, and this will support marine plastic solutions at the national level,” she said.

“This project will also support greater access for households to regular waste collection, and with increased landfill, recycling, and composting capacity, there will be positive impacts for public health, the environment, and tourism.”

sangeetha.amarthalingam@kiripost.com