By Chantha LachPHNOM PENH (Reuters) - In a small warehouse in Cambodia's capital, a group of workers sit and spin waste plastic bottles into strips, turning them into bristles for brooms, of which they churn out 500 each day.
For the past 11 months they have transformed around 40 tonnes of discarded plastic bottles, about 5,000 bottles per day, by "upcycling" them into brooms they say are more robust than regular brushes.
Cambodian entrepreneur Has Kea, 41, wants to reduce plastic pollution in his community, in a city that produces up to 38,000 tonnes of all types of waste each day, according to its environmental department.
Kea buys empty plastic bottles from trash collectors and garbage depots.
"This also help reduce pollution to the environment and encourages people to collect plastic bottles to sell to us at a higher price, which in turn, could earn them a better living," he said.
Persons:
Chantha, riel, Suon Kosal, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Martin Petty, Alison Williams
Organizations:
Reuters, Kea
Locations:
Chantha Lach PHNOM PENH, Cambodian