KATHMANDU, MAY 23
CREASION Nepal, Grid Arendale, Doko Recyclers, International Solid Waste Association (ISAWA) and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) with International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) with the support from the Norwegian Retailers Fund announced the launch of a project titled Preventing Plastic in Nepal Rivers by Boosting the Informal Sector. The project launch was graced in the presence of Honorable Mr. Ramshaya Prasad Yadav, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ms. Torun Dramdal, Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Aanand Mishra, Founder and President of CREASION.
"The rivers of Bagmati is a scare place where we worship but due to plastic pollution the value of the river has decreased. Strong implementations of policies are needed in order to tackle this problem. We should inform people from the grass root level, teach them to segregate waste before and after the collection process. I will provide full support in helping prevent plastic pollution in Nepal rivers." said Honorable Mr. Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Ministry of Forests and Environment.
Some of the components of the project entail creating an infrastructure and putting a system to separately collect and recycle different types of collected plastic. This project also includes the establishment of a small-scale locally run plastic recycling facility that can manage both high- and low-quality plastics to prevent littering in the rivers.
"Today, when we look around Kathmandu valley, the rivers or landfill sites are filled with heaps of garbage which is mainly plastic" said Ms. Torun Dramdal, Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal. "The pollution of plastic has increased immensely from 1950s and the global impact is huge. The rise of plastic pollution pushed the Norwegian government to keep it at its top priority and due to the monsoon season in Kathmandu it has created a huge problem of flash floods, what we need is system change targeting the full lifecycle in working towards creating a proper waste management system and a recycling system that will help address issues of environmental protection" she further added.
The informal sector plays a crucial role in waste management for Nepal. Informal waste workers range from collectors to waste pickers and scrap dealers. Many of the estimated 10,000–15,000 waste pickers working in Kathmandu Valley are women, but they are among the most marginalized.
"Informal Waste Workers are an important component to the environment. Thus, behavioral change communication should be enforced to encourage people to keep and sustain a clean and healthy environment. For plastic recycling and the development in preventing plastics in Nepal Rivers, the use of advanced technology should be brought. " said Aanand Mishra, Founder and President of CREASION.
As the population of Kathmandu increases, plastic usage and thereby waste generation is also growing. Approaches to managing waste in the capital include unorganized dumping and open burning. On average, 48% of the waste in municipalities is landfilled, while 32% is burnt, and 27% is openly dumped on riversides.
CREASION (Center for Research and Sustainable Development Nepal) is a non-profit established in 2005. It promotes sustainability-based development and serves as a center for social innovations, impact-based projects, a learning center for youths, and a medium by which relevant stakeholders are engaged. With its evolving working areas, CREASION aims to address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
CREASION has been an acute supporter of Nepal's long-term strategy of technological progress, policymaking, and social transformation that will lead to a carbon-neutral, inclusive, and climate-resilient future to attain Net-Zero Emission by 2045. The four core thematic areas of Creasion, Nepal are Environment and Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction, Youth and Volunteerism, and Education and Advocacy.
