Solid Waste Management in Cambodia: Issues, Mitigation Plans, and Design Benefits

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Overview
Solid waste refers to any solid wastes, substances, materials and refuses which are useless
and need to be disposed of. In Cambodia, the solid waste management is able to consist of
different parameters and aspects. The solid wastes are classified according to three categories
which include domestic, industrial and hospital wastes. Some of the key areas which involve the
solid waste management include the legal framework, strategic plan, institutional responsibilities
as well as hazardous waste management (Cintri 2009, 13). The legal framework composes of the
different environmental laws which affect the disposal of the solid wastes in Cambodia. The
main aim of the laws is to enhance the environmental protection and natural resource
management. In addition, in Cambodia, the legal framework also composes of sub-decree on
solid waste management.
Issues related to Cambodia SWM
The authorities and cities in Cambodia are responsible for the collection, transportation,
storage, recycling and minimizing of the dumping of the solid wastes. Moreover, Cambodia has
several guidelines and policies which are related to the solid waste management (World Bank
2013, 23). Nevertheless, there are some issues with the implementation of the programs and
guidelines in urban centers in Cambodia. Proper strategies are always required to ensure that the
solid waste management plans are well implemented to achieve the required results.
Combination of the wastes is one key issue which faces the management authorities in
Cambodia. The residents are able to combine these wastes during the collection of wastes and
this makes it hard during the disposal or recycling time.
Identified issues

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Negative issues
Solid waste management in Cambodia is able to face several challenges and issues.
Collection and disposal of solid waste is one of the major issues in Cambodia. The solid waste
must be sorted out to ensure that the disposal is done perfectly (MoP 2008, 9). Different solid
wastes must be disposed separately and therefore collection needs to be done separately. In
addition, illegal dumping is still a key issue which is affecting Cambodia. This means that key
and strategic places where the dumping has to be done (Heisler 2004, 17). The illegal dumping is
an environmental threat to the country’s health. The illegal dumping has been a challenge and
this has made some areas unfit for human settlement. Illegal dumping is a key issue which has
been affecting and raising key issue including collecting of the solid wastes (Sandia National
Laboratories 2010, 20). The illegal dumping leads to pollution in the water sources and therefore
posing danger to public health.
In addition, the Cambodia also lacks the sanitary landfills and this means that such wastes
are disposed in open dumps. At the open dumps have challenges with the burning and this means
that most of these wastes are scattered (Kum Sharp and Harnpornchai 2005, 5). The un-burnt
wastes are a key real problem in Cambodia. The wastes lead to quick filling of the dumps and
increases pollution of the neighboring areas. Proper handling of such wastes is required to ensure
that environmental pollution in the country is controlled.
Positive issues
In addition, one of the important positive issue in solid waste management is Cambodia is
that the main component of the solid wastes are organic (Troschinetz and Mihelcic 2009, 917).
This means that the wastes can be used in making compost. This is able to align with the 3R of