Ocean-bound Community Collection and Neutralization of Mixed Plastics in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (OBP)

This Cambodian project is tackling plastic pollution in the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers, which for generations have nourished millions of people, supported rich ecosystems, and  connected vibrant communities - but today are choking with plastic.

Every rainy season, floods sweep through Phnom Penh and nearby towns, carrying thousands of tons of discarded plastic into canals and rivers. These plastics don’t disappear; they drift from upstream to downstream, choking fish, killing biodiversity, and polluting the ocean.  The Mekong ranks among the top ten rivers that together contribute 80% of ocean plastic.

Founded by Cambodian environmentalists and community leaders, this project aims to stop plastic at the source — in rivers — before it reaches the ocean.

Four Marine Plastic Management Officers and one Boat Operator conduct daily river cleanups using specialized boats and by teams collecting plastic within 200 meters of the riverbanks. To boost collection capacity, 29 informal waste collectors have been recruited and trained to support the mission through an incentive program.Plastic waste is pre-sorted at collection sites along the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers in and around Phnom Penh, then re-sorted at their facility by full-time staff.

Over 95% of the collected and sorted ocean-bound plastic is non-recyclable. To ensure responsible disposal, it is repurposed through co-processing — a solution that eliminates landfill waste by converting non-recyclables into alternative energy and cement, supporting sustainable resource use and a circular economy. The remaining 5% of recyclable materials are processed at their facility.  

Funds raised from these credits help:
• Maximize environmental impact by scaling up project sites along the Mekong River.  
•  Promote social inclusion by integrating the informal waste sector with fair wages and access to essential social services. 
•  Establish two additional sorting facilities to expand capacity for handling marine plastic waste.
 •  Ensure long-lasting impact by embedding environmental education and outreach programs targeting affected communities and schools to drive sustained behavior change.