Cambodia is moving to turn its circular-economy policies into practical economic activity, with government agencies, businesses, communities and development partners focusing on waste reduction, recycling, sustainable production, green employment and producer responsibility.
The push was highlighted at the Cambodia Circular Economy Forum 2026, held under the theme “Circular Economy in Action: From Policy to Prosperity.”
Organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German government, in cooperation with Cambodian ministries, the three-day forum brought together more than 1,000 participants to discuss agriculture, waste management, recyclable trade, sustainable textiles, green skills and employment.
Representatives from six core ministries attended, covering environment, industry and technology, labour, agriculture, commerce and interior affairs.
Key Facts
Event: Cambodia Circular Economy Forum 2026
Theme: “Circular Economy in Action: From Policy to Prosperity”
Duration: Three days
Participants: More than 1,000
Main organiser: GIZ on behalf of the German government
Key areas: Agriculture, waste management, recyclable trade, sustainable textiles, green skills and employment
EPR for e-waste: Introduced in March 2025
Upcoming policy area: Plastic packaging producer responsibility
Supporting institution: Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation on packaging roadmap
Next focus: Implement regulations, advance proposed policies and expand successful local initiatives
From Environmental Protection to Economic Opportunity
GIZ-ASEAN projects in Cambodia team leader Frank Jattke said one of the objectives of the forum was to challenge the perception that the circular economy is only an environmental issue.
Circular approaches can also create jobs, develop new markets and increase incomes while reducing waste and conserving resources.
This means circular-economy policies can have implications across the wider economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, packaging, waste management, recycling, logistics and employment.
The forum therefore focused on how existing policies and local initiatives can move toward practical implementation.
Extended Producer Responsibility Takes Centre Stage
One of the major policy discussions at the forum was Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Under an EPR system, producers, importers or suppliers take part of the responsibility for collecting and treating products after consumers discard them.
Cambodia introduced EPR requirements for electrical and electronic waste in March 2025.
The Environment Ministry is also drafting a separate Prakas that would establish responsibilities for the private sector regarding plastic packaging.
Jattke said the existing e-waste regulation now needs to be operationalised, while acknowledging that developing a plastic-packaging EPR framework involves multiple stakeholders.
E-Waste Rules Need to Move Into Implementation
The forum highlighted a key issue facing Cambodia's circular-economy agenda: having regulations in place is only one step.
The next challenge is implementing those regulations effectively.
Jattke said GIZ has provided advice to the Environment Ministry on EPR and shared experience from Germany and other ASEAN countries.
However, responsibility for drafting, approving and implementing Cambodia's regulations remains with Cambodian authorities.
The distinction is important because successful EPR systems require practical mechanisms for collection, sorting, treatment, recycling, financing and monitoring.
Plastic Packaging Could Be the Next Major Policy Area
Plastic packaging emerged as another important area for future policy development.
The Environment Ministry is working toward a framework that would clarify private-sector responsibilities for plastic packaging.
A functioning EPR system for packaging could potentially change how companies approach product design, packaging materials, collection systems and waste management.
However, the source indicates that such a framework remains under development and involves multiple stakeholders.
Packaging Roadmap Also Under Development
GIZ is supporting the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation as it works on a packaging roadmap.
Packaging is an important component of the circular economy because decisions made during product design can influence how easily materials can later be reused, recycled or recovered.
For Cambodian businesses, this could eventually create opportunities for new packaging materials, recycling services, product redesign and more resource-efficient production systems.
Agriculture and Rural Communities Part of the Circular Economy
The forum also showcased experiences involving agriculture, local administrations, communities and businesses.
This reflects the broader scope of the circular economy, which extends beyond urban waste management.
In agriculture, circular approaches can potentially involve better resource use, reuse of materials and waste reduction while creating additional income opportunities.
Jattke said he hoped future editions of the forum would feature more Cambodian examples showing how farmers, communities and businesses are using circular approaches to reduce waste and increase incomes.
Green Skills and Employment Gain Attention
Green employment and skills were also among the forum's discussion areas.
As Cambodia develops circular-economy activities, businesses may require new capabilities in recycling, resource efficiency, sustainable production, waste management, environmental services and related technologies.
This creates a connection between environmental policy and workforce development.
Training and skills development could therefore become an important part of Cambodia's transition if new circular businesses and production models expand.
Sustainable Textiles and Recyclable Trade
The forum also addressed sustainable textiles and recyclable trade.
These areas are relevant to Cambodia's manufacturing economy because textiles and other manufactured products increasingly face demands for more efficient resource use and responsible production.
Developing recycling and resource-efficient production capabilities could potentially help businesses respond to changing market requirements while opening new commercial opportunities.
Stronger Coordination Needed Across Government
Jattke said stronger coordination among ministries and development partners would be necessary because many circular-economy policies involve more than one institution.
For example, waste management can involve environmental regulation, local administration, private-sector participation, trade, industrial policy and consumer behaviour.
A fragmented approach could make implementation more difficult, while coordination could help align regulations, financing, business incentives and technical standards.
Next Phase: From Forum Discussions to Implementation
Organisers said the next stage should focus on putting existing regulations into practice, advancing proposed policies and expanding successful local initiatives.
Jattke said he hoped the next forum would show more practical Cambodian examples and demonstrate how circular approaches can generate both environmental and economic benefits.
This shifts the focus from discussing the concept of a circular economy toward measuring what happens on the ground.
What a Circular Economy Could Mean for Cambodian Businesses?
For businesses, Cambodia's circular-economy transition could create opportunities in several areas:
| Opportunity | Potential Business Activity |
|---|---|
| Recycling | Collection, sorting and processing of recyclable materials |
| E-waste | Collection, treatment and responsible disposal |
| Sustainable packaging | Alternative materials and packaging redesign |
| Resource efficiency | Reducing material, energy and production waste |
| Green technology | Technology and equipment for sustainable production |
| Sustainable agriculture | Resource-efficient and waste-reducing farming models |
| Green skills | Training and workforce development |
| Circular manufacturing | Reuse, repair, recovery and material efficiency |
The development of EPR policies could also create new roles for companies involved in collection, logistics, recycling and waste treatment.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia's circular-economy agenda is increasingly moving beyond environmental policy into the areas of business, investment, employment and industrial development.
The most important transition is from policy formulation to implementation.
For businesses, this could eventually mean new responsibilities, particularly under EPR frameworks, but it could also create new markets. Companies that provide recycling, waste-management, packaging, environmental technology and resource-efficiency services could benefit as regulations and market demand develop.
The agricultural and manufacturing sectors could also gain if circular approaches reduce production losses and improve resource efficiency.
However, the economic benefits will depend on whether Cambodia can build practical systems around the policies. Regulations need clear responsibilities, collection and processing infrastructure, financing mechanisms, technical standards and effective coordination between government and businesses.
The forum's emphasis on successful local examples is therefore significant. Demonstrating that circular practices can reduce costs or create additional income may provide a stronger commercial incentive than environmental messaging alone.
For Cambodia, the longer-term opportunity is to make circular economy part of how businesses produce, package, distribute and recover products rather than treating it solely as a waste-management programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cambodia's circular economy?
The circular economy seeks to use resources more efficiently by reducing waste, extending the useful life of materials and products, and increasing reuse and recycling while creating economic value.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility?
EPR is a system under which producers, importers or suppliers take responsibility for some part of managing products after consumers discard them.
Does Cambodia already have EPR requirements?
Yes. Cambodia introduced EPR requirements for electrical and electronic waste in March 2025. A separate framework covering private-sector responsibilities for plastic packaging is being drafted.
What sectors are involved in Cambodia's circular-economy transition?
The forum covered agriculture, waste management, recycling, textiles, packaging, green employment and related business activities.
What is the next priority?
According to the forum discussion, the next step is to put existing regulations into practice, advance proposed policies and expand successful circular-economy initiatives.