Creating value from waste: Why waste management starts with us

Every day, we generate waste without giving much thought to where it goes after we throw it away. A plastic bottle, a food wrapper, leftover food, or an old mobile phone may seem insignificant, but when multiplied by thousands of households, they become one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

In cities like Pokhara, waste generation continues to increase with urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and growing consumption. According to recent research conducted under the Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling ( GCRU project), Pokhara Metropolitan City generates nearly 198 metric tons of waste every day, much of which is transported directly to landfill sites. As waste generation continues to rise, the demand for more landfill space also increases, creating long-term environmental, social, and economic challenges.