In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital, an innovative solution to plastic pollution is sweeping the city—quite literally. In a modest warehouse, a team of diligent workers transforms discarded plastic bottles into durable brooms, producing 500 each day.
For the past 11 months, entrepreneur Has Kea, 41, has spearheaded this upcycling initiative. By repurposing approximately 5,000 plastic bottles daily—amounting to 40 tonnes of waste—his enterprise not only curbs environmental degradation but also provides a sustainable livelihood for the community.
“The city generates up to 38,000 tonnes of waste each day, and about a fifth of that is single-use plastic ending up in landfills and waterways,” Kea explained. “We aim to reduce this pollution and improve lives.”
The process begins with the collection of plastic bottles from trash collectors and garbage depots. Bottles are shredded into strips, softened in hot water, and meticulously sliced before being affixed to bamboo handles using metal wires. The resulting brooms, priced at 10,000 riel ($2.50) and 15,000 riel ($3.75), are praised for their durability.
“This broom is quite solid, not easy to break,” remarked Suon Kosal, a 26-year-old Buddhist monk whose temple recently purchased 80 brooms. “It’s a practical tool that also supports a cleaner environment.”
Kea’s vision extends beyond his own business. He welcomes others to join the market, believing that collective effort is key to tackling plastic waste. “This helps reduce environmental pollution and encourages people to collect plastic bottles to sell to us at a higher price, which in turn could earn them a better living,” he said.
For a city grappling with mounting waste, initiatives like Kea’s offer hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future—one broom at a time.
Reference(s):
Cambodian 'upcycler' turns tonnes of plastic bottles into brooms
cgtn.com
