Table 3 Key solid waste initiatives in Battambang (2019–2022)

United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UN-ESCAP) multi-stakeholder partnership for Sustainable Development Goal implementation

Project initiated new networks to address intractable problems in waste, bringing together National University of Battambang, Habitat for Humanity, municipal leadership, funding agencies with knowledge/expertise (UN-ESCAP and UN-Habitat) and Cambodian Education and Waste Management Organisation (‘COMPED’)

They set up a women’s entrepreneurship program for waste recycling, a plastics recycling facility, Battambang’s Solid Waste Management Masterplan, and provided capacity building

Technology for Green Cities Program

Funded by US-AID, this project provides a smartphone platform for waste reporting, recycling, and greater transparency in waste services, through linking entrepreneurs, government, community and local youth ambassadors, creating improved waste governance

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Urban Sanitation program

This program has funded Battambang’s new sanitary landfill site and wastewater treatment infrastructure, in partnership with the Battambang Provincial Government and Battambang Municipality

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung project

Project provided capacity building for design of local regulations in waste management, which introduced penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and empowered the Municipality to implement national waste management laws

GGGI Green Entrepreneur training program

Program provided coaching and facilitation to small recycling businesses, which have become financially viable and improved their operations, including their community education on waste