A new $6.5 million landfill in Banteay Meanchey province has officially opened, marking a significant step forward in environmental management and sanitation for the region. Spanning 11 hectares, the facility in Serei Saophoan town’s Kampong Svay commune is designed to operate until 2040, serving approximately 130,000 residents across several communes, including Makak, Kampong Svay, Preah Ponnlea, Teuk Thla, Ou Ambel, Phniet, and Koh Pong Sat.
The landfill, part of the second phase of an environmental improvement project around Tonle Sap Lake, was funded by a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Construction began in December 2023 and was completed in just 10 months.
During the inauguration ceremony on January 17, Ros Vanna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the new landfill. He emphasized that the facility’s waste processing capabilities, including compost production, would reduce public health risks and lower healthcare costs. Proper waste and wastewater management, he noted, would also attract more tourists, boosting the local economy and creating jobs.
Vanna called on the public to support the sustainability of the landfill by participating in waste collection and wastewater treatment fees. He stressed that maintaining sanitary conditions is vital to protecting public health and fostering economic growth.
Acting provincial governor Ly Vannarith, who presided over the ceremony, provided technical details about the facility. The landfill features two main cells: the first cell can hold 51,414 tonnes of waste with a volume of 64,242 cubic meters, while the second cell can accommodate 84,060 tonnes with a volume of 87,630 cubic meters. Additionally, a reserve cell with a capacity of 270,989 tonnes and a volume of 171,874 cubic meters ensures long-term functionality.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has already developed similar modern landfills in other provinces, including Preah Sihanouk, Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampot, Kep, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kratie, and Stung Treng. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing sanitation and environmental standards across Cambodia, driving regional development and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Source: The Phnom Penh Post
