CURRENT MERCURY WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Cambodia Waste management is a national priority. With continuous economic growth over the last 20 years, the amount of waste generated has increased, and Cambodia now needs to further develop its waste management capacity and strategy. Phnom Penh, the capital, faces waste management challenges due to rapid urbanization. Cambodia has been implementing various programmes on waste management, including e-waste.
Legislative and Regulatory Framework The Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Management (1996)11 lays out general environmental provisions. The Sub-decree on Solid Waste Management (1999)12 defines wastes and regulates solid waste management to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Under the sub-decree, mercury waste is classified as a hazardous waste, and waste from end-of-life lamps is listed as hazardous waste. The Sub-decree on Environmental Impact Assessment (1999)13 specifies when an environmental impact assessment is necessary, including for waste processing and burning. The Sub-decree on E-waste (2016)14 prohibits disposal of e-waste in water resources, public areas, and undesignated landfills, and bans open burning and other harmful e-waste practices. The Sub-decree on Litter and Solid Waste Management (2015)15 promotes effective solid waste and
litter management at the provincial and municipal levels for the protection of public health and the environment. This sub-decree covers collection, treatment, storage, transportation and recycling of solid waste, and calls for cooperation among the relevant agencies. The Declaration on Battery Management (2016) prohibits disposal of batteries in water resources, public areas and undesignated landfills, and bans harmful recycling practices. The Mercury Waste Management Action Plan 2013-2017 aims at the reduction of mercury waste from anthropogenic activities and lays out a five-year plan for mercury management in processes and products; mercury waste management approaches; research, monitoring, assessment and inventories; awareness raising; and implementation and compliance.
Landfill site Š Ministry of Environment, Cambodia
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