River Ocean Cleanup (ROC)

Cambodia has one of the fastest economic growth (7% annually) compared to countries in the Asia Pacific region due to political stability, increase in local and international investments and tourism. Despite the economic growth, new challenges are emerging for the country, including the amount of waste generation and the management of urban solid waste. The annual solid waste generation is approximately 3.65 million tons per year (2017) and increases between 10% to 15% every year. 48% of this solid waste is not collected and is therefore found on the streets, rivers, and ocean. Mismanaged wastes cause negative impacts on the health and well-being of citizens, water quality, marine lives, wildlife, the tourism industry and it also contributes to climate change. ROC’s strategy is to address the problem through the mobilization of the Cambodian population across the country to lead or join the cleaning up of legacy trash (especially plastic) on the ground, in the rivers, and in the ocean.