National
5 June 2026 10:17 AM• 2 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
What Is "Zero Waste"? Ministry of Environment Explains Beyond Just Not Creating Trash
PHNOM PENH – June 5, 2026 – On the 30th anniversary of National Environment Day and World Environment Day under the theme "Zero Waste," the Ministry of Environment has launched a podcast series called "Chakra Podcast" to help the public understand what zero waste truly means — and it goes far beyond simply not creating trash.
The ministry posed a key question: Is "Zero Waste" just about not producing garbage, or is there more to it?
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, "Zero Waste" is defined as the conservation of all resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials. Crucially, it means no burning and no discarding into water, land, or air — activities that threaten the environment and contribute to climate change.
Specialists from the Ministry of Environment explained that "waste" refers to any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that no longer has value or use and is discarded into the environment. Waste includes kitchen waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, medical waste, and hazardous waste.
The experts emphasized that improper waste disposal — failing to separate or manage waste correctly — has severe consequences. It damages the environment and ecosystems, harms public health, negatively impacts the economy and tourism, and contributes to climate change.
The ministry called on all citizens to take part in protecting the environment and managing waste properly. "Good waste management, a good environment, starts with all of us," the ministry said.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, June 5, 2026.
Reported by The khmer Daily Network
The ministry posed a key question: Is "Zero Waste" just about not producing garbage, or is there more to it?
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, "Zero Waste" is defined as the conservation of all resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials. Crucially, it means no burning and no discarding into water, land, or air — activities that threaten the environment and contribute to climate change.
Specialists from the Ministry of Environment explained that "waste" refers to any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that no longer has value or use and is discarded into the environment. Waste includes kitchen waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, medical waste, and hazardous waste.
The experts emphasized that improper waste disposal — failing to separate or manage waste correctly — has severe consequences. It damages the environment and ecosystems, harms public health, negatively impacts the economy and tourism, and contributes to climate change.
The ministry called on all citizens to take part in protecting the environment and managing waste properly. "Good waste management, a good environment, starts with all of us," the ministry said.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, June 5, 2026.
Reported by The khmer Daily Network