PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday launched a project to improve the disposal capacity of plastic litter in urban provinces, aiming to prevent and minimize plastic waste pollution on land and in the ocean.

During the next three years, the project will work with stakeholders in urban areas, namely Phnom Penh, Tboung Khmum, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Kampot, and Koh Kong.

Speaking at the event, Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the rapidly growing volume of plastic waste was adding immense pressure on both waste management system and the environment.

"Plastic now constitutes 20 percent of the municipal waste stream," he said. "There is, therefore, an urgent need to reduce the volume of plastic use in Cambodia and create an environment where waste is properly managed, recovered, reused, and/or recycled."

Sophalleth said the project would contribute significantly to the National Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028 and would complement corresponding campaigns such as "Today I don't use plastic bag," "Clean up Cambodia, Khmer can do," and "National Roads Plastic-Free."

Alissar Chaker, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia, said plastic pollution was deteriorating the environment and threatening health and wellbeing.

"The effects of marine plastic are concerning, with forecasts indicating that there could be, in 2050, more plastic than fish by weight in the ocean if no collective action is taken," she said. Enditem

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