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From rubbish to art - 8th December 2023

Cambodia’s Environment Ministry has shown its thanks to local artist Mean Tithpheap. The artist has reused waste tyres from bikes and motorcycles to create giant sculptures.

Tyres aren’t easy to recycle. People used to burn them, but this produces toxic smoke. The old tyres provide a home for mosquitoes, which give people malaria.

Tithpheap’s four year art project has helped solve these problems.

Mean Tithpheap: "I have made some 40 animals from bicycle and motorbike tyres. And the most popular animal is King Kong, I’ve made 10 of them."

Cambodia’s population is increasing, which means cities are getting bigger and more people are shopping. This has produced a lot of extra waste.

The government doesn’t have a plan for recycling, which is a problem. There are now huge rubbish dumps across the country.

Tithpheap would like his art to help. He hopes that it helps people to find other ways to recycle.

Mean Tithpheap: "I appeal to the public to support the recycling of things in Cambodia. It starts with me and if other people, who have learned from me, can also recycle waste like this, we can reduce this tyre waste by a lot."

Life hasn’t been easy for the 37 year old artist. He had to leave school to work because he needed to support his family.

But today, his giant sculptures are selling for $2,000 to $3,000 each. Cafes, hotels and art collectors are purchasing his sculptures.

The government’s given Tithpheap a certificate to thank him for his creative way of helping the environment.