Siem Reap is becoming cleaner
See how Amara Beer Lab is engaging with Siem Reap’s recycling efforts.
Every day, we make choices—some big, some small—but all with an impact. Yesterday, I decided to take a small action that I knew would have a positive effect on my community.
For the past few days, I’ve been clearing out the future taproom, removing piles of waste left behind by the previous management. The bar area was filled with empty glass bottles, paper scraps, and plastic debris. As I sorted through the mess, I remained meticulous about separating recyclables, treating waste disposal with the same diligence as if I were living in Northern Europe—where, in fact, I have spent part of my life.
The contrast, however, becomes striking the moment I step outside the taproom. The streets tell a different story—discarded plastic, burnt-out tires, and piles of waste in empty lots. I have written about these differences before, not to pass judgment, but to understand the cultural and historical contexts that shape them. Cambodia is a country in the midst of an economic recovery, facing challenges that many wealthier nations have long left behind.
Yet, within this reality, there are individuals and families who see value where others see waste, much like Amara Beer Lab’s commitment to working with local recycling efforts to minimize environmental impact and support sustainable initiatives. Private recycling centers have emerged, supporting those who collect bottles and cans at night, roaming the city in search of materials that can be exchanged for a small income. If you live in Siem Reap, you’ve likely noticed them—humble people, often entire families, moving through the streets with headlamps, sorting through garbage to retrieve valuable glass, plastic, and cardboard. These small, family-run recycling centers then further separate the materials before loading them onto trucks destined for larger processing facilities.
It’s a micro-economy, still developing, but one that highlights an important truth: even in a country where poverty is widespread, where many live in makeshift homes, where survival often takes precedence over environmental concerns, there are those who recognize that the environment is one of the most precious resources. Recycling is not just an ecological gesture; it is an economic opportunity that benefits everyone involved, reducing waste while also minimizing the need for new raw materials.
And so, I made my choice. Instead of letting the collected bottles and plastic be taken away by the municipal waste service—where recyclables often go unsorted—I decided to take them directly to a nearby recycling center. With a sack full of glass bottles slung over my shoulder and two more bags of recyclable plastic in my hand, I walked the short distance to the center, knowing that this simple action would directly contribute to the income of a small family rather than a larger waste management structure.
I didn’t ask for anything in return. What they do is already enough. I simply left the bags, greeted them with a smile, and walked away, satisfied that my brewery will be built on principles I believe in.