In today’s era of climate crisis and ecological degradation, the exploitative “take-make-dispose” model is no longer viable.
The unchecked spread of non-biodegradable waste—particularly plastics—continues to pollute Nepal’s rivers, valleys, and urban spaces, harming biodiversity, contaminating soil and water, and increasing the vulnerability of already marginalized communities.
Tackling this environmental injustice demands a fundamental shift toward a circular economy grounded in inclusion, dignity, accountability, and sustainability.
In Nepal, issues such as deforestation in the Chure range, drying water sources in the hills, river pollution in cities, soil erosion and landslides, and glacier retreat due to climate change highlight the urgency of this transition.
The menace of plastic and linear waste systems must be urgently addressed. The overwhelming presence of plastic and non-recyclable materials is not just an environmental issue—it reflects systemic neglect and corporate irresponsibility.
Holding producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products is essential. This can be done by enforcing policies such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), green procurement standards, and gradual bans on non-recyclable packaging.
True green justice requires accountability and transparency at every level. Tools like the Circular Economy Scoreboard, GESI audits, Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), and Material Flow Analyses (MFA) should be used to track impact and guide interventions.
Systemic transformation begins with individual and institutional choices. Household-level waste segregation, municipal waste sorting systems, and sustainable procurement policies in public institutions can prioritize durability, recyclability, and energy efficiency.
These actions are not only environmentally sound but also promote justice for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm.
Circular economic practices—such as repair hubs, upcycling centers, and waste-to-resource innovations—must move from the periphery to the core of green development.
In Nepal, many of these initiatives are led by informal workers, women, Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and youth innovators. Yet, these groups often face legal invisibility, structural discrimination, and limited access to resources, training, and capital.
Reframing the narrative around waste work and circular innovation is essential. Waste workers are environmental stewards—not laborers to be ignored.
Municipal governments, media, and institutions must celebrate these workers, include them in local planning, and ensure they have dignified working conditions, including safety gear, sanitation, rest spaces, fair wages, and legal recognition.
To transition from a linear to a circular economy, circularity must be embedded across all levels of product design, systems innovation, and resource use.
For example, product design should emphasize durability, modularity, non-toxicity, and reusability. Reverse logistics systems should be introduced to support return, reuse, refurbishing, and remanufacturing.
Service-based models—such as leasing or product-as-a-service approaches—can reduce both consumption and waste. Additionally, one enterprise’s waste can become another’s raw material, reducing the demand for virgin resources.
Agroecological and bio-based systems can convert agricultural byproducts into compost, biogas, or packaging, thereby enhancing food security and sustainability.
Community-based circular economy approaches must be central to achieving environmental equity. Locally run repair and reuse centers for electronics, textiles, and furniture can significantly reduce waste and create dignified green jobs.
Urban composting hubs, eco-brick initiatives, and community-operated sorting and recycling centers can reduce landfill use while fostering solidarity, skill-building, and climate resilience.
Supporting these efforts through municipal grants, technical training, and multi-stakeholder partnerships will amplify their impact.
Transformative change is impossible without investment in education, skills development, and enabling infrastructure. Circular economy principles must be integrated into school curricula, technical and vocational education (TVET), and university programs.
Youth, entrepreneurs, and informal workers must receive hands-on training in areas such as waste management, repair, sustainable design, and bioeconomy practices.
Infrastructure development is also critical. Material recovery facilities (MRFs), e-waste processing centers, composting plants, and biogas systems must be established across rural and urban municipalities.
Innovation and research should be promoted by supporting academic and entrepreneurial initiatives in regenerative practices, sustainable product design, and circular business models.
To ensure circular systems are equitable and effective, inclusive design and governance are non-negotiable. Waste work in Nepal remains stigmatized and gendered.
Women, Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ individuals working in the informal sector often face unsafe working conditions, discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
Addressing this requires legal recognition of informal waste workers through cooperatives, ID cards, and formal contracts. GESI-responsive (gender equality and social inclusion) infrastructure—such as inclusive tools, sanitation facilities, and safe workplaces—must be provided.
Marginalized groups should be granted access to microfinance, digital technologies, and green enterprise incubation. Public awareness campaigns are also vital to destigmatize waste work and highlight waste workers as environmental guardians.
GESI audits, intersectional analysis, and disaggregated data must inform all policy-making, planning, and budgeting, especially in circular economy interventions.
Nepal’s youth represent one of the country’s greatest assets. Young people should be empowered to lead climate action, develop green innovations, and advocate for intersectional justice. Existing youth-led initiatives must be scaled up and sustained.
To harness this potential, leadership development and climate literacy programs should be prioritized. Green job creation should be supported through skills training and business incubation.
Youth-led solutions must be funded and mentored. Special attention must be paid to including Dalit, Indigenous, rural, and LGBTIQ+ youth in governance platforms and funding mechanisms. Youth should not be seen as mere beneficiaries but as co-creators of Nepal’s green and just future.
Nepal’s commitment to Low Carbon Development (LCD), renewable energy, and forest-based carbon markets is commendable. These initiatives must be supported through adequate financing.
Climate-smart agriculture and bio-based packaging from agro-waste should be promoted. Community-led renewable energy initiatives—such as biogas, solar, wind, and hydro—should be expanded to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
A truly inclusive green economy can regenerate ecosystems, alleviate poverty, foster social cohesion, and strengthen climate resilience. From waste segregation at home to national-level climate strategies, every action matters.
By integrating circular economy principles into Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and sectoral policies, we can ensure that carbon financing benefits local communities, especially women, Indigenous groups, Dalits, and persons with disabilities—those who are the custodians of forests and defenders at the frontlines of climate change. Emission reduction and social equity must go hand in hand.
True green justice requires accountability and transparency at every level. Tools like the Circular Economy Scoreboard, GESI audits, Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), and Material Flow Analyses (MFA) should be used to track impact and guide interventions.
Community feedback loops and real-time data systems are essential for ensuring inclusivity, responsiveness, and ongoing improvement.
Development partners, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector must work together to develop monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks that reflect both environmental and social outcomes.
Nepal stands at a crucial crossroads. As the country strives to meet its climate and development goals, embracing an inclusive circular economy offers a transformative path.
This is not merely about reducing waste or improving efficiency—it is about ensuring dignity for every worker, opportunity for every young person, and justice for every community.
In short, the shift toward a green economy must be driven by community-based solutions, youth leadership and innovation, GESI-integrated policies, cross-sector coordination, adequate financing, and strong accountability systems.
A truly inclusive green economy can regenerate ecosystems, alleviate poverty, foster social cohesion, and strengthen climate resilience. From waste segregation at home to national-level climate strategies, every action matters.
Let us dare to reimagine Nepal’s economy—one that reuses, regenerates, and respects both the planet and its people.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent those of any affiliated organization)
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