The 2nd National Forum on Plastic “Identifying Priority Actions Against Plastic Pollution in Cambodia”

Remarks by Mrs. Alissar Chaker, Resident Representative

December 15, 2021

Photo by the Ministry of Environment

H.E. Sao Sopheap, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment

H.E. Dr. Vann Monyneath, Secretary General, National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD)

H.E. Mikami Masahiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Dr. Ngin Lina, Deputy Secretary General, NCSD

Mr. Kith Chankrisna, Advisor to the Minister of Environment, National Director of the project Combatting Marine Plastic Litter.

Excellences, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my pleasure to be among you today to launch the second national forum on combatting plastic litter.

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the National Council for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Environment, and the Marine Plastic project team on organizing this important event. I would also like to thank the Embassy of Japan for its commitment and financial support.

It’s been almost 3 months since I arrived in Cambodia. Since then, I have been truly impressed by the country and its people. Despite various drawbacks caused by the global pandemic, they have not given up, and are relentlessly working to build back better. Since the opening of the country in November, I can feel the country’s heightened level of energy in pursuing new opportunities and making a difference for today and beyond.      

Ladies and gentlemen

Today’s topic is plastic pollution.

Being trained as environmental engineer, this is a topic close to my heart and my mind.

The worldwide total volume of plastic has reached over 8.3 billion metric tonnes[1]. Today we live in a world of plastic.

Plastic is deeply embedded in our habits and daily routine and is used for almost everything because it is so convenient, cheap, and durable.

However, plastic pollution has also turned into a global crisis affecting the planet. Every year, over 8 million metric tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean[2].

Plastic litter blocks waterways, clogs sewage and drainage systems elevating flood risks, and ends up eventually in the sea.

Plastic is not easily biodegradable. When exposed to sunlight, oxidants, and physical stress, plastic debris is degraded over time and slowly breaks into smaller pieces known as micro-plastics. Micro-plastics kill marine animals, fish, and birds when they ingest them or when they get entangled in plastic materials. Micro-plastics also pollute our food chain as they accumulate in marine catches. So, the problem of plastic pollution transcends environmental concerns to affect our own health and food security. Besides, during decomposition, some plastics release climate-change greenhouse gases such as methane[3].

Plastic is sometimes burned in open fires. Such practice releases many dangerous chemicals and causes serious respiratory diseases and risks to public health.

Without collective action, studies predicted that by 2050 plastic could outnumber fish in the sea[4]. This will have dramatic consequences on food security and economies.

Often, just a simple reminder can make a difference. In 2018, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) introduced a regulation that mandated a minimum charge of 400 Riel per plastic bag. And this measure was quite successful in reducing the usage of plastic bags more than 50% in major supermarkets.

Since 2018, UNDP has been supporting the government’s efforts to promote the 4Rs - refusing to use plastic, reducing its use, reusing where possible, and recycling the materials.

Ladies and gentlemen

This version of the national forum follows the first one, which took place in 2019.

Since then, a lot of progress was made under the leadership of the MoE. I would like to highlight 4 main areas: 1) policy and regulation, 2) awareness raising, 3) subnational efforts and 4) business development to promote plastic circularity.

For policy and regulations, the MoE has developed a National Circular Economy Strategy, and a draft National Plastic Roadmap as an enabling policy framework. The MoE is currently preparing a new regulation on the management of plastic that covers its entire lifecycle. This regulation will include new measures on single-use plastic items and Extended Producer Responsibility. It is important to note the lack of infrastructure and technologies for large-scale recycling. Thus, there is an urgent need to accelerate waste prevention, reduction, and recovery. 

For awareness raising, the MoE developed a new awareness-raising website dedicated to plastic, and educational materials. Last week, the Ministry and the marine plastic project launched an innovation challenge for campaigns to “Beat Plastic” which aim to changing behaviors and promoting the 4Rs. The application is open until 6 January 2022.

New subnational initiatives are emerging. This forum will feature some notable efforts that aim to reduce, collect, recycle, and recover plastic waste led by people, businesses, and subnational authorities.

While these efforts are all important, the successful reduction of plastic waste also depends on the market availability of cheap alternatives to plastic products. Any restrictions over single-use plastics are bound to fail unless affordable alternatives are made available, unless current production and consumption patterns are reconsidered throughout their supply chains, business models, and life cycles, from the choice of raw materials, design of products/services, to recycling and end-of-life.

It is worth noting that the marine plastic project is in the process of evaluating submitted ideas for new plastic alternatives to be put on the market. The result of this innovation challenge will be announced soon in December 2021. 

Ladies and gentlemen

The fight against plastic pollution is an urgent priority. It requires dedicated efforts and behavior change by everybody, including, individuals, communities, small businesses, but most of all, it needs the active commitment to the 4Rs by large companies and national authorities.  

As I speak, more than 100 countries and cities have introduced bans or regulations on single-use plastic items, such as bags, straws, and food packaging.

The government has an important role in developing regulations that provide economic incentives/ or disincentives for developing alternatives to plastics and encouraging reduction, reuse, and recycling. It has also a central role in raising awareness through environmental education and public awareness campaigns.

The private sector can trigger a decisive switch from current single use plastics to greener alternatives and promote innovative circular business models to save on raw materials and waste treatment.

As consumers, all of us can make the commitment to stop resorting to single-use plastics like straws, plastic bags and plastic food packaging. Plastic action starts at home. There are affordable alternatives!

Today’s meeting matters because it brings together all stakeholders and sets the foundation for a strategic coalition that enables joint action to halt the plastic crisis. Together, we can think of creative ways for reducing our dependency on single-use plastics and promoting green and circular economy for a sustainable future.

In conclusion, I thank you for joining us today and for stepping up the efforts to stop plastic pollution.

I wish you all a very fruitful meeting.

[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170719140939.htm

[2] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352

[3] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200574

[4] https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/ocean-plastic-fish-climate-crisis-sea-study-a9635241.html#:~:text=The%20volume%20of%20plastic%20entering%20the%20ocean%20annually,planet%27s%20waters%20than%20fish%2C%20according%20to%20new%20analysis.