Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia launched a new US$2.65 million initiative under the Plastic Reboot Programme to reduce single-use plastic production, consumption and disposal in the food and beverage and tourism sectors on 25 September. The initiative, “Promoting Circular Solutions for the Food and Beverage Sector to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Cambodia,” is a five-year intervention that will focus on upstream and midstream circular economy solutions.

Cambodia’s growing economy and tourism industry are increasing demand for single-use plastics (SUPs) such as bags, cups, wraps and bottles. Currently, the risk of inaction is high. Cambodia’s food service market is projected to almost double by 2029, while key policies remain in draft or are not yet implemented, and reliable national data on SUPs does not yet exist. Plastic already blocks drains and worsens flooding in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk, and it threatens health, livelihoods and the destinations that tourism depends on. Informal waste workers, many of them women, are among those most exposed, yet they have the least protection and the fewest opportunities to benefit from better waste management.

Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Cambodia, said, “Private sector innovation is the engine of the circular economy, but businesses need the right policies, finance and incentives to make sustainable solutions viable. Through the project, we will work with government, businesses, civil society, communities and development partners to mobilise finance, support innovation and create the conditions for businesses to invest in reuse and alternatives. Everyone has a role to play in making the shift towards a more circular economy.”

With funding from the Global Environment facility (GEF), Cambodia has joined forces with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNDP to reduce single use plastics production, consumption, and disposal in the food and beverage and tourism sectors. Led by the Ministry of Environment and UNDP in Cambodia, the Plastic Reboot programme   in Cambodia works across four areas: strengthening regulations, standards and guidance on SUPs; supporting finance and business action, including a pilot voluntary extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging; promoting gender-responsive behaviour and social change communication; and improving coordination, data and knowledge sharing.

The project focuses on Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk, working with at least 80 hotels, cafés and restaurants and two food delivery services to reduce their use of SUPs. By the end of the project, it aims to avoid 19,120 tonnes of plastic waste, reduce 74,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions and benefit more than 529,000 people, including more than 267,000 women.

The project directly supports the implementation of Cambodia’s Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028. Building on the success of Sub-Decree 168 on plastic bags, which helped reduce plastic bag use by around 50% at major supermarkets in Phnom Penh and other major cities, the project will update or develop at least three regulatory measures and three financial, economic and procurement instruments. It will also engage ministries, provincial authorities, businesses, banks, civil society and informal workers.

Plastic Reboot programme in Cambodia will also foster close collaboration with the Cambodia National Plastic Action Partnership, convened by the World Economic Forum and launched in January 2026. Its action plan aims to cut plastic pollution by 74%, associated greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, save the Government an estimated 37% in costs and create 26,000 new jobs by 2040. The project will ensure effective contribution to the roadmap’s implementation.

Plastic Reboot programme in Cambodia is part of the wider US $108 million GEF-funded UNEP-WWF led Plastic Reboot programme, which aims to transform the use of plastics by the food and beverage sector through national interventions in 14 other countries. Through the programme’s global project led by UNEP and WWF, Cambodia will be able to coordinate with these countries, sharing knowledge and best practices. In October 2025, all Plastic Reboot countries came together for the first Annual Conference in Brazil. 

Mrs. Isabelle Vanderbeck, Portfolio Manager, UNEP, stated “The project will support Cambodia in advancing its voluntary agreement framework and laying the groundwork for an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, enabling businesses to take proactive steps toward self-regulation while formal regulatory mechanisms continue to evolve. Through the Plastic Reboot Global Knowledge Platform, Cambodia will both contribute its experiences and lessons learned and benefit from the knowledge and best practices of other participating countries”.

H.E. Dr. Chuop Paris, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment, concluded: “Plastic Reboot Cambodia is aligned with the CLEAN pillar of our Circular Strategy on Environment 2023 to 2028. We are working with ministries, provincial authorities, development partners, businesses and communities to make reducing, reusing and refilling the easier choice, and to shift from the take-make-dispose model to a circular system where plastic stays in the economy and out of the environment.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Chhunmuoy Ath, Communications Analyst, UNDP Cambodia at communications.kh@undp.org

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The Ministry of Environment of the Royal Government of Cambodia leads national policy on environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. Through its Department of Green Economy, the Ministry serves as the national focal point for the circular and green economy, working with ministries, provincial authorities, the private sector and civil society. Learn more at www.moe.gov.kh.

UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network advocating for change and connecting governments, private sector and civil society to knowledge, experience, and resources to end the injustice of poverty and inequality, accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen good governance and peace, and promote nature-based solutions and climate resilience. Present in over 170 countries and territories, we assist nations to implement their solutions for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people, the planet, and their prosperity. Learn more at https://www.undp.org/cambodia or follow us at @UNDPCambodia.

About the Global Environment Facility is a multilateral fund dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Its grants, blended financing, and policy support helps developing countries address their biggest environmental priorities and adhere to international environmental conventions. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than USD 25 billion in financing and mobilized another USD 145 billion for more than 5,700 national and regional projects. https://www.thegef.org/

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Learn more at https://www.unep.org