KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 20
The federal government has issued the Solid Waste Management National Policy, 2022 to promote inter-agency co-financing, citizen participation, public-private partnership, mobilisation of development aid, technology development and transfer, and experience sharing in the waste management sector.
The policy was approved by the Council of Ministers last week. The policy envisages the citizens' right to live in a clean and healthy environment through proper waste management.
It has set four objectives.
They include providing guidance to the law and standards related to management of waste generated from houses, and industrial and tertiary sectors; mitigating the adverse impacts of waste on the environment and public health; clarifying the roles of federal units in waste management; and contributing to the national economy through mobilisation of waste as resource by utilising innovative technologies in waste management.
Similarly, the policy has determined eight strategies to achieve its objectives. The strategies include developing legal basis for waste management through classification according to their nature, preparing and implementing separate standards based on classification of waste, making the utilisation of disposal site sustainable by reducing waste production efficiently at the source, enhancing the duty of citizens in waste management, clarifying the roles of the federal, provincial and local levels in waste management, prioritising co-financing, partnership, collaboration and participation, preparing a strong database by conducting study and research on waste management, and enhancing the capacity of agencies and stakeholders involved in waste management.
Likewise, working policies have been defined for each strategy with regard to waste management. "The government will make the regulation and management of hazardous, chemical, industrial, medical and household waste by formulating and implementing an integrated act related to waste management.
The local levels will be made responsible for management of household waste whereas the concerned organisation or institution will have to be accountable and responsible in managing hazardous, chemical, industrial and medical waste produced by them," the policy says.
The policy has also encouraged segregation of waste at source, and reduction, recycling, and reuse of waste. "Provision of regulatory bodies will be made for management of hazardous, chemical, industrial, medical and household waste. The government will provide necessary assistance to the provinces and local levels for effective waste management," the policy reads.
It says that the government will completely impose ban on disposal of waste in river systems, lakes, wetlands, wildlife habitat, religious sites, heritage sites, protected areas, roads and other public places.
"Subject related to waste management will be incorporated in school curricula, besides launching awareness campaign about civic duty in waste management. The policy also envisages mobilising foreign aid in waste management, in addition to co-financing of all three tiers of the government, and building partnership and collaboration with the national and international NGOs."
A version of this article appears in the print on October 21, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
