Economy
Cambodia expands rural waste collection through Swiss‑backed circular economy project
PHNOM PENH, July 2, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has launched a new Swiss‑backed initiative to expand sustainable waste collection services in rural communities, aiming to improve environmental protection, create green jobs and strengthen the country’s circular economy, officials said Thursday.
The Sustainable Access and Action for Waste Transformation (SAAT) project is implemented by iDE Cambodia with co‑funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC Swiss Cooperation Mekong) and iDE Canada. It will initially focus on Battambang province, where it aims to provide reliable waste collection services to 5,000 rural households.
Rather than treating waste as a public burden, the project seeks to transform it into an economic opportunity by supporting local waste enterprises, generating household demand for collection services and helping informal waste collectors — many of them women — grow sustainable businesses.
Cambodia generates around 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, yet only about 18 percent of rural households currently have access to formal collection services. With most of the population living in rural areas, many communities resort to burning, burying or dumping waste into waterways and open spaces, polluting farmland and rivers.
Officials said the project is expected to improve public health, reduce plastic pollution and strengthen the resilience of rural communities while advancing Cambodia’s transition toward a circular economy.
iDE Cambodia said SAAT builds on its market‑based model by incubating local waste enterprises and creating inclusive economic opportunities. “Together with local authorities and market actors, we are building a viable and lasting pathway toward sustainable waste management and a circular economy in rural Cambodia,” the organization said in a statement.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation said the partnership reflects its commitment to supporting innovative approaches to environmental sustainability in the Mekong region.
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