Rapid growth in industrialization, urbanization, and population has resulted in a massive increase in quantities of wastes that are providing major concerns for planners and policymakers. Municipal solid waste management has become complicated and cha...
Rapid growth in industrialization, urbanization, and population has resulted in a massive increase in quantities of wastes that are providing major concerns for planners and policymakers. Municipal solid waste management has become complicated and challenging problems in many countries, especially in the developing one. Cambodia, one of developing nations, is experiencing tremendous difficulty managing municipal solid waste. Phnom Penh is the most developed city amongst the towns. Urbanization, lifestyle changes, and rapid population growth have led to a significant increase in waste volume each year. The efficiency of municipal solid waste collection is low leading to waste to have scattered on the streets in the city. Packaging and storage of household solid waste have not been prepared properly. Generally, all kinds of waste have been mixed and disposed of without separation.
The objective of this thesis was to examine participation of residents and local authorities in the implementation of sub-decree on municipal solid waste management in Cambodia and assess effectiveness of sub-decree on municipal solid waste management in Cambodia.
In order to approach and achieve the proposed objectives, data collection was divided into 3 sections: (i) in-depth interview, (ii) field observation, (iii) household questionnaire survey. The results of in-depth interview showed that most residents of Phnom Penh have not performed waste separation. Generally, most residents use plastic bags to pack their waste. Packed waste has been stored inside houses and discharged in the evening. The results of field observation showed that there is no illegal disposal and improper discharge of waste. The results of questionnaire survey showed that (25.4%) of respondents performed waste separation. Separated waste was aluminum cans (89.3%), bottles (53.6%), and paper/boxes (21.4%). The results showed that respondents’ storage of waste was plastic bags (84.5%), plastic containers (9.09%), and carton boxes (6.36%). Packed waste was stored inside houses (92.7%). Waste discharge was in the evening (91.2%). The results showed that waste collection time was at night (68.2%), irregular (27.2%), in the morning (4.55%).
Local authority seems not to fully implement the sub-decree on municipal solid waste management, showing that local authority’s participation in implementation of this sub-decree is low. This is due to the lack of understanding of rules and sub-decree, which requires adequate training in order to improve the effectiveness of implementation of the sub-decree. Most residents are still unaware of the sub-decree on municipal solid waste management together with the importance of waste separation.
With the above findings can conclude that the effectiveness of implementation of sub-decree on municipal solid waste management remains low because the participation from the local authority and the public is still limited in implementing of this sub-decree. It can also be translated that implementation of this sub-decree is ineffective.