Thinking about reducing your environmental footprint while living in or visiting Phnom Penh? It’s easier than you might think. By making a few conscious choices, you can significantly cut down on waste, support the local community, and experience the city in a more authentic way. Here’s how to get started.
1. Rethink Your Drink: Ditch Single-Use Plastic
This is the easiest and most impactful change you can make. Always carry a reusable water bottle. Even if your hotel or guesthouse offers free single-use plastic bottles, refuse them. Most accommodations, cafes, and restaurants have large blue jugs of treated drinking water you can use to refill your own bottle for free or a small fee. It’s a simple switch that prevents hundreds of plastic bottles from entering the waste stream.
2. Eat In, Cut Down on Packaging
While the convenience of food delivery apps is tempting, try to dine in whenever possible. Takeout and delivery generate a massive amount of single-use packaging. When you do need takeaway, a great tip is to find restaurants that are committed to sustainable packaging. For instance, at our restaurant, Bong Bonlai, we partner with Only One Planet for biodegradable packaging and even offer a reusable metal lunch box option for our deliveries (check our Facebook page for details!).
For groceries, skip the supermarkets where everything is pre-packaged. Head to a traditional local market like Orussey or Boeung Keng Kang Market instead. You can buy everything from rice and spices to fresh produce in bulk, and bring your own containers and bags to avoid plastic entirely.
Pro Tip: Break the ice with vendors and make your request clear by learning a few Khmer phrases:
“At yok plastik, orkun.” (I don’t need a plastic bag, thank you.)
“Laat somrap parithan.” (It’s good for the environment.)
“Chuy taereksa parithan.” (It helps protect the environment.)
3. Embrace Two Wheels (Or Ride-Share)
Surprisingly, Phnom Penh is quite bicycle-friendly if you’re not in a rush. The traffic may look chaotic at first, but the average speed is low. The city’s roads are shared with food carts, slow-moving motos, and hand-pushed carts, so most drivers are patient with slower traffic.
A few safety notes for cycling:
Never assume the right of way. The unwritten rule is that slower traffic yields to faster traffic.
Be cautious in the right-hand lane, as vehicles turning right from side streets often don’t check for oncoming traffic.
If you’re not ready to bike, you still don’t need a car. Tuk-tuk ride-share apps like PassApp and Grab are incredibly cheap and accessible. For longer day trips, you can even hire a private driver for the day for as little as $20.
4. Shop Smart for Souvenirs
Forget the cheap, mass-produced trinkets from the tourist markets—many aren’t even made in Cambodia and often end up as unwanted clutter.
One of the best ways to bring back souvenirs people will actually love is to buy consumable local products. Think dried tropical fruits, teas, Kampot pepper, dry ginger, or locally made chocolate and coffee.
For lasting gifts, support local artists and social enterprises. Look for beautiful calendars, postcards, and artwork. We highly recommend checking out:
Amazing Cambodia for authentic, high-quality gifts.
The boutique shops on Street 240 (between Norodom Blvd and St 19) for unique finds, especially….
A.N.D. Boutique for stunning fair-trade textiles that directly support local artisans.
By choosing these alternatives, you’re not just buying a souvenir; you’re supporting a local craftsperson and taking home a piece of Cambodia’s true creative spirit.
Ready to explore Phnom Penh sustainably? We offer more tips and a comfortable, eco-conscious base for your adventures.
