By Oeur Ariya
Plastic bags have become one of the most widely used items in Cambodian daily life because they are cheap, light, and convenient. However, their overuse has created serious problems for the country. For example, in Phnom Penh, thousands of plastic bags are discarded daily, and many end up blocking drains or floating in rivers. Specifically, plastic are found everywhere from markets and shops to food stalls and many people think of them as just a normal habit. Yet, this routine has become a major challenge, since it causes serious environmental pollution. From this standpoint, this article aims to explore how plastic bags use cause several server consequences for Cambodia.
Firstly, plastic bags have severely polluted the soil in Cambodia. Across cities, markets, and rural areas, discarded plastic waste has covered roads, farms, and vacant lots, making daily life unpleasant and harmful. Farmers especially are facing difficulties as plastic waste mixes with their soil, reducing fertility and blocking the growth of crops. Strictly speaking, when plastic decompose into microplastics, it alters the soil structure, hindering air and water from properly circulating within the ground. According to The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in Phnom Penh alone around 10 million plastic bags are used daily.
This volume of plastic waste not only decreases agricultural productivity but also affects the livelihoods of local farmers who solely depend on healthy soil for their agricultural income. Therefore, plastic pollution in soil is not only an environmental issue but also an economic and social one that directly impacts communities and food security.
Secondly, plastic waste has greatly affected water sources throughout the country. In Phnom Penh and other urban areas, drainage systems are often clogged by plastic bags, causing flooding during the rainy season. A UNDP report highlights that the lack of waste‑management infrastructure, combined with high plastic consumption, has led waterways and green spaces to become “burgeoning heaps of plastic and garbage.”
Furthermore, research on the Mekong River indicates that plastic waste forms so-called “plastisphere” communities on floating plastics, which can alter water quality and negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. As Kiri Post has recently noted, plastic pollution in Kandal Province and other areas across Cambodia is visibly affecting rivers and the surrounding environment, raising concerns for ecosystems and the food chain. Fish and other aquatic animals often mistake plastic fragments for food, leading to suffocation or starvation. The consumption of these contaminated fish allows microplastics to enter the human body, posing potential long-term health risks. Hence, plastic bag overuse directly threatens Cambodia’s water quality, biodiversity, and food safety.
Thirdly, plastic pollution also seriously affects the air. In many parts of Cambodia, especially in rural communities without proper waste collection, people often burn plastic waste near their homes as the usual habit and easiest way to dispose of it. This practice releases thick, toxic smoke into the atmosphere, containing chemicals like dioxins and furans that can cause respiratory diseases and even cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO,2023) highlights that open burning of plastic contributes to air pollution and climate change. While this is a global concern, Cambodia’s weak waste management systems make the local impact more direct. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, as they are more sensitive to smoke and air contaminants. In essence, burning plastic not only damages the environment but also worsens public health conditions, clearly showing that plastic pollution has both environmental and human consequences.
Lastly, another significant issue is the behavioral aspect of plastic use in Cambodia. Most Cambodians have developed a habit of accepting plastic bags automatically whenever they buy something, even when it is unnecessary. Vendors provide plastic bags freely, and customers rarely refuse them because it is considered normal. This habit shows not only a lack of awareness, but also about the unsuccessful solutions of the sustained effects of plastic waste.
Research on Cambodian consumer behavior indicates that environmental concern, perceived behavioral control and attitude toward using plastic bags strongly influence whether one will reduce plastic bag use. In Phnom Penh, one study observed the high prevalence of plastic bag consumption; this behavioral pattern is entrenched and requires more than simple regulation, and it needs educational and cultural change. Such change is difficult because it involves shifting habits of convenience and social norms. Therefore, addressing plastic pollution requires not only technical solutions but also behavioral and educational change. The government and local organizations should focus on environmental education campaigns that encourage people to reuse bags, carry cloth alternatives, and reduce disposable plastics.
To tackle this growing problem, several initiatives have already been introduced. For instance, the Cambodian government introduced Sub‑Decree No. 168 on the Management of Plastic Bags in 2018 to reduce plastic use and improve public waste management. The “Combating Plastic Pollution in Cambodia” project, facilitated by UNDP, strengthens capacity across multiple sectors and implements behavioral modification programs. Additionally, civil society organizations such as Fauna & Flora International emphasize that inadequate waste management infrastructure has caused plastics to accumulate in many areas. Still, despite these efforts, enforcement remains weak, and everyday habitual usage in local markets is largely unregulated. Encouraging environmentally sustainable businesses, offering incentives for sustainable packaging, and promoting local innovations could significantly help reduce the country’s dependence on plastic bags.
Some might argue that banning or restricting plastic bags could negatively affect small vendors or poor communities who rely on them for daily use. While this concern is understandable, it is not an excuse to ignore the damage caused by plastic pollution. Alternatives such as biodegradable bags, banana leaves, or cloth bags are already available and affordable in many local markets, as found in behavioral modification intervention studies. Moreover, the long-term costs of plastic waste, including health expenses, reduced crop yield, and flood damage, are far greater than the short-term convenience of using plastic bags. Therefore, balancing economic needs with environmental responsibility is essential for Cambodia’s sustainable development.
In summary, the behavioral use of plastic bags in Cambodia has become a big problem, not just a small threat. It truly affects the soil by reducing farmland quality and crop productivity, pollutes water by blocking drainage and harming aquatic life, and contaminates the air through toxic smoke that endangers human health. More importantly, it reflects a behavioral issue that requires both public awareness and governmental action. Cambodia must take immediate steps to reduce plastic bag use through education, enforcement, and innovation. Changing people’s habits, encouraging reusable alternatives, and strengthening waste management systems are the keys to solving this growing crisis. Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue but also a moral responsibility for every Cambodian citizen. Without collective effort, the convenience of today’s plastic bag will become tomorrow’s lasting disaster.
Authors:
Oeur Ariya is a Bachelor’s degree of English Literature at the University of Cambodia. She is also an English private teacher and a member of Sikshā-Nagar team.
