PHNOM PENH: In a small warehouse in Cambodia's capital, a group of workers sit spinning waste plastic bottles, cutting them into strips and turning them into broom bristles, producing 500 bottles a day.
Over the past 11 months, they have “upcycled” around 40 tonnes of discarded plastic bottles (about 5,000 bottles per day), turning them into brooms that are stronger than regular brushes. They sell for 10,000 riel ($2.50) and 15,000 riel ($3.75) respectively.
A machine bundles plastic pieces taken from empty bottles, softens them in boiling water, slices them into equal pieces and sews metal wire to the ends of bamboo sticks.
Cambodian entrepreneur Has Kea, 41, wants to reduce plastic pollution in his area in a city that generates up to 38,000 tonnes of all kinds of waste every day, according to the Environment Department. . Approximately one-fifth of this is single-use plastic, which ends up in landfills or waterways. “These brooms are very sturdy and won't break easily,” said Suong Kosar, a 26-year-old monk whose temple bought 80 brooms last month.
Kea buys empty plastic bottles from garbage collectors and dumpsters. He is confident of the longevity of his business as his supply appears to be limitless. He is also open to competitors entering the market.
“This could also help reduce environmental pollution and encourage people to collect plastic bottles and sell them at higher prices, thus enriching their lives,” he said.
