KATHMANDU, MARCH 19

On the occasion of Global Recycling Day, which is observed every year on March 18, South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) representatives inaugurated a Material Recovery Factory (MRF) in Kapan, Kathmandu.

One of the Project CAP milestones is the opening of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kapan,' said general secretary of CREASION Sujata Koirala.

According to her, this facility is designed to bale 60 MT of scrap PET bottles collected from informal waste workers, which will then be recycled at the PET Recycling Facility in Bharatpur, Chitwan, as part of Project CAP.

'This is more than just an opening; it is the first step towards closing the loop in sustainable plastic waste management,' Koirala said.

Gyan Raj Subedi, Director General of the Department of Environment, said during the inauguration programme, 'Project CAP has transformed a problem into a prospect. I am delighted to see such progress towards reducing plastic pollution. This is also a positive initiative because it has created numerous job opportunities for marginalised communities by transforming waste into a circular and green economy.'

Similarly, Anjalie Devaraja, SACEP's Project Director, stated, 'It is an honour to be here and to inaugurate this facility, as many people came together to make it grand and rewarding to fight this battle against plastic pollution.'

Aanand Mishra, Founder and President of CREASION, emphasised that the collaboration has been both challenging and rewarding. 'We were extremely cautious about ensuring health and safety for continued and successful collaboration.'

'Furthermore, this is not just a project for us; this is our emotion, and we have worked with various collaborators and contributors,including marginalised communities schools and children. Not one, but every single person helped make it a grand success,' he added.