The Sub-Decree on Solid Waste Management was approved by the Council of Ministers in compliance with Article 13 of the Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Management.

This Sub-Decree applies not only to manage simple solid wastes and/or garbage properly, but also to mange hospital wastes, industrial wastes and other hazardous wastes. Various types of solid waste management are briefly mentioned in the Sub-Decree, e.g. waste transportation, storage, disposal, treatment, etc..

Activities associated with managers/ owners of facilities are to be covered by specific directives and guidelines. Hazardous waste importation is strictly prohibited. The export of hazardous waste is also strictly prohibited in line with the Basel Convention, which agreed by Government of imported state, transit state, and with approval of the Government itself.

The Sub-Decree designated full responsibility to the Ministry of Environment for managing solid waste under the cooperation with institutions concerned, including local authorities.

The Sub-decree on Solid Waste Management is comprised of six chapters: (i) general provision; (ii) household waste management; (iii) hazardous waste management; (iv) monitoring and inspection of hazardous waste management; (v) penalty; and (vi) final provision.

The Sub-Decree mentions the responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment, Provincial/Municipal Environment Departments, and local authorities, including the task of coordination and cooperation among line agencies. The Sub-Decree also addressed the assistance of the Ministry of Environment to local authority through preparing relevant technical guidelines for managing domestic waste and garbage. Although, the management of domestic waste and garbage is a burden for the local authority, but the Ministry of Environment has a function to monitor and follow up its operation.

On the other hand, the Sub-Decree mentions about proper management of industrial wastes and other hazardous wastes within the industrial premises and at specific dumping sites, especially, responsibilities of agencies at dumpsites concerned, otherwise, the Ministry of Environment will take action to fine someone who has violated the legal regulation. The owner or manager of factory must ask for a permission towards the movement of industrial wastes from his/her factory to a specific dumpsite. The licensed owners/managers of factories, where toxic or hazardous wastes properly stored on factory premises, transport and dispose of waste at determined sites.

Some relevant Articles of the Sub-Decree such as: Article 1, Article 2, Article 4, Article 7, Article 13, Article 15, Article 23, Article 25, and Article 26, were stipulated for maintaining and protecting water environment and its related resources avoiding any pollution from solid wastes and hazardous substances.

To ensure the effectiveness of solid waste management and other hazardous wastes in the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Council of Ministers has approved the concept of determination of hazardous wastes as indicated in Table: Type of hazardous waste. With this determination, key stakeholders may become aware and should pay attention to manage these hazardous wastes based on the environmentally sound.

Table : Type of the hazardous waste