From rubbish to art - 8th December 2023

The Cambodian government is thanking a local artist. Mean Tithpheap makes art sculptures from tyres. Old bike and motorcycle tyres are a problem.

People throw the tyres away. It’s bad for the environment. And mosquitoes live in them. These mosquitoes make people ill.

But Tithpheap’s changing this. He’s using the tyres to make art.

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."

There are lots of people in Cambodia now. Everybody is going shopping. There’s a lot of rubbish everywhere.

This is a big problem for the government. Some parts of the country are full of rubbish.

Tithpheap wants his art to be a good example. He wants people to start recycling.

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."

Tithpheap didn’t finish school. He had to work. He needed to take care of his family. Now, his art costs between two and three thousand dollars. Cafes, hotels and art lovers are buying his giant sculptures.

The Cambodian government gave Tithpheap a certificate. They wanted to thank him for helping the environment.