A study by International Development Enterprises (iDE) Cambodia has discovered polluted waters in areas around the Tonle Sap Lake and is urging for waste collection services to be implemented to eliminate affected groundwater and surface water sources.

Tyler Kozole, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program Director at iDE Cambodia, said that the solid waste management (SWM) market study assessed selected districts adjacent to the Tonle Sap Lake in the provinces of Kampong Chhnang, Pursat and Siem Reap. It was conducted between March and June 2023.

iDE found a critical risk of waste generated in rural areas reaching the Tonle Sap Lake. This waste contamination threatens biodiversity and livelihoods in this critical ecosystem.

“We work through markets and we believe the SWM market holds great opportunities to bring improved livelihoods and healthier, cleaner environments to rural Cambodia,” Kozole told Kiripost.

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“Our goal is to work together with local entrepreneurs, government, and the development community to expand solid waste collection services to rural households and communities.”

According to iDE's press release, the objectives of these studies are to identify critical market failures in rural Cambodia, exploring strategic entry points and recognizing opportunities for possible interventions and for catalytic impact.

The results showed that food waste was the highest waste generated by households in the surveyed areas, making up about 50 to 60 percent of the total waste. Plastic waste amounted to nine to 15 percent.

Waste generated annually by households stood at 125 tons in Kampong Chhnang, 331 tons in Pursat and in Siem Reap was estimated at 316 tons.

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A majority of these wastes entered the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, posing a risk to ecosystems, particularly rivers, lakes, and ocean, while threatening the livelihoods of communities relying on these ecosystems for food and income.

Currently, waste collection service is limited to urban and peri-urban areas, leaving rural areas with very limited or non-existed collection services.

“The lack of SWM infrastructure in rural areas leads to unsustainable practices such as waste burning, burying and dumping, which can contaminate ecosystems, including vital water resources,” the statement said.

Food waste is a leading cause of water pollution. It can also contaminate groundwater and surface water sources. When foods are disposed of in landfills, they decompose and release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

While this problem is dire, there is also evidence of an existing demand for improved SWM services among rural communities. The study has shown that a significant percentage of households desire waste collection services and are willing to pay for them.

The study revealed that 69 percent of all households engaged had cash in hand and were willing to pay 10,000 riel for monthly solid waste collection services.

iDE has a commitment to support SWM in Kampong Chhnang and Pursat as part of the EU-Funded GREEN project. This effort is geared towards providing insights towards ways iDE can support SWM improvement in those areas.