Background

A workshop for the project “Development of the Capacity of the Informal Waste Sector in Cambodia” was held on 22 December 2025 at the Classy Hotel in Battambang City. The event was organised by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET) in partnership with COMPOSTED and the Battambang Municipality. 
This workshop served as a platform to disseminate project outputs, share lessons learned from building an informal sector registration system, a training module developed for the informal sector in Cambodia and engage a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, private recyclers, and informal waste workers, to identify future actions for inclusive waste management.

Similar to other ASEAN countries, Cambodia’s municipal solid waste generation is rising rapidly, reaching approximately 2,843,961 tons in 2024, representing a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, the absence of effective source segregation and nationwide collection infrastructure means most waste remains mixed, limiting recycling efficiency.
In this context, the informal waste sector plays a pivotal role in resource recovery and recycling. However, these workers—many of whom are women—often operate under unsafe conditions, face health risks, and lack legal recognition or social protection. The IGES-CCET project focused on integrating these informal workers into formal systems by improving their organisational and technical capacity, aligning with Cambodia's national strategies for sustainable waste management, poverty reduction, and gender equality.

Intent

The primary objective of the workshop was to share project outcomes and strengthen official recognition of the informal waste sector. Specifically, the session aimed to:

• • Introduce the Training Module for the informal waste sector developed during the project.
• • Share experiences and lessons learned from the partnership between IDEA, Battambang Municipality, COMPOSTED, and IGES-CCET regarding the establishment of a registration system.
• • Strengthen stakeholder support and foster official recognition of informal workers as key actors in the waste value chain.
• • Encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors to identify sustainable, inclusive solutions.

Summary

The workshop opened with remarks from Dr Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage (IGES-CCET) and Mr Leang Veasna (Battambang City Governor), who emphasised the importance of inclusive waste governance. Ms Junko Fujioka (UNEP-IETC) delivered opening remarks and stressed the importance of integrating the informal sector to address waste management challenges in Cambodia effectively. Further, Ms Fujioka emphasised the importance of gender-responsive action in integration and overall waste management. The opening ceremony was concluded by Mr Lakshitha Paranagamage (IGES-CCET), who introduced the workshop objectives and presented project videos featuring real stories from waste pickers on the ground.

The session on integration into Municipal Solid Waste Management reviewed the national context for informal-sector engagement. Mr Nov Nith (Ministry of Interior) and Dr Ros Bandos (Department of Environment Education, Ministry of Environment) presented on strengthening the sector through improved policy and informal education. 
Dr Juergen Staudel (Advisor to the Ministry of Environment) provided insights on the GGI4CE initiative regarding waste separation at the source, followed by the launch of the project’s Baseline Report by Mr. Lakshitha Paranagamage.
Mr Lakshitha Paranagamage facilitated the Capacity Development and Regional Lessons session, which connected Cambodian efforts with global best practices. Ms Chinmayi MN (Hasiru Dala, India) and Dr Ayesha Khan (Akhter Hameed Khan Foundation, Pakistan) shared international lessons on formalising waste workers. A key highlight was the introduction of the “National Training Module for the Informal Waste Sector in Cambodia” by Ms Lim Sereyroth.

The afternoon focused on concrete results in Battambang. Mr Sour Chhlonh (IDEA) and Mr Chot Vuthy (Battambang Municipality) detailed the registration and recognition activities conducted through the project. This concluded in an Awarding Ceremony, where ID cards and safety equipment were officially presented to informal waste pickers, providing them with formal recognition and ensuring safety during the work.

The workshop concluded with a Group Discussion on integration strategies involving NGOs, municipal representatives, and waste pickers, followed by a final recap and closing remarks from Mr. Noy Chek (Battambang Municipality).