Background
On 12 March 2026, the Department of Green Economy under the General Department of Policy and Strategy of the Ministry of Environment organized a workshop at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh on the draft Single-Use Plastic-Free Roadmap 2026-2035.
The workshop was chaired by Kob Raly, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Environment, and attended by representatives of ministries and institutions, Phnom Penh and provincial administrations, capital and provincial environment departments, development partners, universities, media representatives, and other stakeholders, with a total of 59 participants.
According to the ministry, the workshop aimed to present and discuss the draft roadmap, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue on the draft, and gather comments and recommendations to strengthen the roadmap as well as draft concept documents on photo and video competitions and a draft communication strategy on single-use plastics.
Scope of Application
The draft roadmap concerns the management and reduction of single-use plastics. The ministry identified single-use plastic items as including plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic straws, foam boxes, plastic food containers or boxes, and cans.
The consultation involved national ministries and institutions, subnational administrations, environment departments, development partners, universities, journalists, and other relevant stakeholders.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The ministry’s post describes the event as a consultation on a draft policy roadmap rather than the issuance of a final regulation or binding measure.
In opening remarks, the Undersecretary of State referred to urgent measures to reduce plastic pollution through the implementation of a circular economy approach and the 3Rs principles in plastic waste management, particularly in relation to the use of and packaging with disposable single-use plastics.
The ministry stated that the draft roadmap is intended to address plastic pollution on land and in water sources. The post also notes the ministry’s concern that single-use plastics are difficult to decompose, may persist in the environment for long periods, and may affect animals and human health through toxic substances and microplastics.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This update indicates that the Ministry of Environment is developing a policy roadmap on single-use plastics for the period 2026-2035 and is collecting stakeholder input before finalization.
Businesses involved in packaging, food service, retail, waste management, manufacturing, and related supply chains may wish to monitor the development of the roadmap and any subsequent official measures or guidance issued by the ministry.
As described in the source, the workshop reflects a policy formulation process. The post does not state that new binding compliance obligations, prohibitions, or penalties have already taken effect.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook post dated 12 March 2026 regarding a workshop on the draft Single-Use Plastic-Free Roadmap 2026-2035.
