Environment minister Eang Sophalleth (6th from left) visits the Plastic Odyssey, a French vessel which is visiting Phnom Penh as part of its global mission to raise awareness of plastic pollution. Sophalleth via FB
The Minister of Environment has visited the French ship Plastic Odyssey, which is on a global voyage to combat plastic pollution. The vessel is currently docked at Phnom Penh, and will stay for almost two weeks.
Minister Eang Sophalleth met with the ship's crew on September 18. He was joined by Jacques Pellet, the French Ambassador to Cambodia, according to the environment ministry.
“The vessel the Plastic Odyssey has been raising awareness among the global population about the dangers of plastic pollution to health, life and the environment as a whole,” the minister said.
According to Institut français du Cambodge (IFC), the ship has been docked in Cambodia since September 11 and will remain until September 23. Plastic Odyssey travels the world to fight plastic pollution. Onboard are tools and educational materials which aim to share new ideas aimed at reducing plastic use and dependency. The vessel has been on a global mission for the past two years.
On the evening of September 12, the French Institute hosted an event to showcase an exhibition and documentary film about the remarkable adventure, providing an opportunity to meet members of the crew.
The Plastic Odyssey’s journey from France, passing through Europe, Africa and Asia – specifically from Japan to Indonesia, Singapore and now Cambodia – highlights efforts to combat plastic pollution by recycling it into various usable materials instead of discarding it.
During his visit, the minister emphasised that proper waste management, especially of plastic waste, not only keeps the environment clean and public spaces attractive, but also improves public health.
He thanked the ship’s crew for their efforts in fighting plastic pollution, aligning with the first pillar of the ministry’s Circular Strategy on Environment.
The environment ministry has launched several campaigns to reduce plastic usage, including the “Today, I Will Not Use Plastic” campaign, which was initiated on September 1, 2023. The campaign has seen participation from over 9.5 million people, including students, monks, workers, civil servants, members of the armed forces and other citizens across the country.
Another campaign, “Clean Cambodia, Khmer Can Do!”, encourages students and other citizens to pick up trash around their homes, schools, pagodas and public areas for 15 minutes a week, ensuring efficient waste management. The ministry announced that over 2.5 million people have participated in the campaign,
The Ministry plans to launch a third campaign, which will focus on proper waste separation and storage. This demonstrates a clear commitment to changing habits and encouraging Cambodians to successfully combat plastic usage and waste disposal.
