First Consultation on the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework for Plastics in Cambodia

In Cambodia, the consumption of low-value and single-use packaging remains widespread, and a significant share of such materials is not recovered through formal systems but instead leaks into the environment. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) offers a mechanism to mobilise financing, strengthen environmentally sound management of products at their end-of-life, and assign responsibility to producers and importers.

The “Improvement of the Disposal Capacity of Plastic Litter in Urban Provinces” project, supported by the Embassy of Japan, has played a pivotal role in creating key foundations conducive to reducing SUP packaging and plastic waste and to scaling up recycling and other circular options to tackle plastic pollution in Cambodia.

As part of this project, Circular Innovation Lab has developed a draft EPR Framework for Cambodia aligned with national environmental strategies and policies. The draft EPR framework is designed around a phased and adaptive regulatory approach that reflects the country’s import-dependent economy, affordability constraints, and the central role of informal recycling systems. It establishes clear strategic objectives and guiding principles, combining progressive transition to mandatory producer responsibility with explicit measures for the informal sector inclusion.

On July 3, Circular Innovation Lab will take part in a consultation with participants from the government, private sector and associations, development partners and civil society organisations on the proposed EPR framework. Participants will be introduced to key definitions, terms, principles of EPR, and get to shape the regulatory and financial outline of a Plastic EPR, as well as the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Guidelines and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) Requirements.

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