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Page last updated at 23:29 GMT, Tuesday, 21 July 2009 00:29 UK

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In pictures: Cambodia's rubbish-pickers

Phnom Penh’s main rubbish dump, Stung Meanchey

Hundreds of scavengers work every day at Phnom Penh’s main rubbish tip, Stung Meanchey. But the work will disappear soon, as a new facility is due to open which will not allow rubbish pickers. (Pictures and text by the BBC's Guy De Launey)

Child workers are a regular sight at the dump. Competing with adult rubbish-pickers for the best material can be a hazardous activity.

As soon as a lorry dumps its load, the scramble is on. The scavengers are looking for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, which have a small recycling value.

Giant bulldozers spread the rubbish across the landfill site. These machines move rapidly, stopping for nothing - and nobody.

Some families actually make their homes on top of the dump. Their children play among the broken glass and oozing landfill.

At age 15, Sombath is a veteran of the dump. He goes to school in the morning and scavenges in the afternoon.

Family at Phnom Penh’s main rubbish dump, Stung Meanchey

His younger brother Virak, and mother Sophun, rely on Sombath. His father is dead, so he has become the main breadwinner.

Paper drying at Phnom Penh’s main rubbish dump, Stung Meanchey

About a dollar a day is the best most scavengers can hope for. Some of them dry paper in the sun so they can sell it to be recycled.

When the rubbish tip closes, the pickings will become ever slimmer. Scavengers will not be allowed at the new facility, so many are wondering what they will do for an income.

Buth Vibol works for the Cambodian Children’s Fund, one of several organisations helping families at the dump. He is worried that when the rubbish tip closes, children will end up on the city's streets, where they are vulnerable to exploitation.

Children at Phnom Penh’s main rubbish dump, Stung Meanchey

The fund currently helps several hundred children - giving them education, healthcare and vocational training. But if families leave the area to look for work, they might be out of reach of the aid organisations.

Soon the goats will be the only regular visitors to Stung Meanchey. Perhaps one day the site will be redeveloped, as Phnom Penh continues to expand.

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