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I am not an environmentalist by any means but in my few years hear in Cambodia this is what I have observed. The Khmer mentality is still focused on living each day for them selves. After the recent past history it is understandable that they appreciate and I can understand the why that the relative harmony of being allowed to go about in their day to day life, without fear of threat or harm, predominates their every day focus.
Environmental issues are of the very lowest priority to most Khmer. I believe that they see or realize the bad in disposal of a wrapper from goods bought by tossing onto the street. They may sweep their property and then allow the pile to blow away to elsewhere. They will agree with the idea that deforestation is bad, but then see no reason to apply any of their individual efforts in combating the problem.
Until an environmental issue directly confronts or affects them, though fairly knowledgeable of it and until such time as they wish to focus upon the "outside" world, it will like continue to be a very problematic area here in Cambodia. It will take a likely another generation to instill unto the people's mind set that we have only one planet and the environment must be considered at all levels.

I agree with most you wrote, certainly the "next generation" needed to change the situation.

Luckily Cambodia has this new generation waiting to act. With a 32% of the population being younger than 15 years it is a very young country in that respect. Consequently if education in schools takes environmental care into their important tasks, the new generation will adapt to that and change old habits, seeing the importance of taking care of the environment.

On top there should be new investments in sectors of environmental care, creating lots of new jobs in Recycling, Waste management, Solar projects, Water treatment. So much to do, good that there are so many young people, hopefully they will be educated for the future.

My son has told me of the garbage, polluted waters, and the lack of funding for environmental change; however, I will contribute my efforts with theirs, and see what we can come up with!

There are foundations that have contributed funds, but I will find people there to get involved in what we all can do first to get it started...

I have to see for my own eyes, and determine issues and I see, not prejudged, and educate myself on the entire process.

RKGCAMBO - A bit touchy today are we? LOL - Perhaps if you were to substitute the the word "mentality" for the phrase "Local natives, Khmer, people of Cambodia's daily actions", would ease your appearent ire.

If my comments were the cause of your discomfort, I regret that it so be but, it is MY personal thought and observation. You obviously may feel a much stronger and closer to the Khmer's situation or plight than I likely do. However your response did not provide any countering evidence, only an attack against any who should offer their view, that which is mine and not yours. However, my point of my view is just that, my point of view and it is what it is. I was just offering my thought or what I see is happening here in Cambodia. I likely can be and often times will be wrong of my thoughts, but until evidence to the contrary is presented that disputes what I see, think or say is presented to counter -  it is, just what it is -  my view point. There truly was no need to present ire against another thought unless you had supporting evidence or a solution proposal to present that counters on the subject.

The question I propose to you - exactly what does the "mentality" of my country's actions have to do with Cambodia's mentality or course of action? I could tell you many pros and cons to the good and bad of my country's situation and answering that would that do little in answering about what the situation here in Cambodia is?  The original question was directed at Cambodia and not the world. I likely would have answered much differently should the question have asked on worldwide basis.

Again sorry to you Dude if it was my view that upset you. Maybe though you ought to relax a bit though - kind of like saying - "When one goes to slay a dragon, one should be armed" I hear hurling a bunch of words at a dragon has little effect on the dragon himself - and could place you on a 'hot' seat! 

I have been living in Siem Reap for almost two years. I am pleased that so many recycle plastic. I am, however, not pleased with the quality of the trash collection services. When I arrived the collections were roughly twice a week. Now they are about once every two weeks.
I agree that it is sad to see so many people just throwing waste onto the streets. Is this a lack of pride? I don't really know.

Siem Reap City Hall needs to buck up. SR as a serious international tourist destination needs to provide international standard of services and the environment is one. Outside the Angkor complex, it is dusty everywhere. The sweepers in the city may be seen to be clearing garbage and dust but when they were at it, the dust fly all over the place.

SR City Hall needs a few vacuum sweeper trucks  to do a better job. It cost no more than 10,000$ a piece, which SR City Hall can very well afford.

I am saucing both goverment and private entreneupers with a view to build solid waste disposal plants in Cambodia to turn waste into power that will recoup the inital outlay in aproxmatly 2 years.

I'm an English teacher and was recently teaching a unit about how to make a city greener. I would say many students agree that Phnom Penh is not so green. However, they lack the responsibility and the motive to initiate something on their own to make their city more environmentally friendly. They always get discouraged and blame others saying that people don't respect each other so why would we do it!!
Eventually, I agreed with them that each one of us should choose one activity and try to proceed with it to make Phnom Penh a better place.
Let's hope for the best.

I started my own (tiny) reforestation project on land that I have long-term-leased; so far, 155 trees planted. I will see in August how many have made it and then go from there.

How about putting out competitive tenders in PP to waste management companies who actuallu use 21st century methods, or even have trolley bins that have been around for 30 years or more in the rest of the world.

Wamut, in my experience, SE Asia does what it wants and moves at its own pace. Plus, kickbacks determine the outcome of almost anything. I have seen many expats despair over this.