Solid Waste Management in Nepal: Current Status and Policy Recommendations

Managing solid waste is one of the major challenges in urbanization. A survey conducted in all 58 municipalities of Nepal in 2012 found that the average municipal solid waste generation was 317 grams per capita per day. This translates into 1,435 tons per day or 524,000 tons per year of municipal solid waste generation in Nepal. Many of these technically and financially constrained municipalities are still practicing roadside waste pickup from open piles and open dumping, creating major health risks. The report identifies eight key policy recommendations: (i) development of policy, strategy, and guidelines; (ii) promotion of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R); (iii) strengthening the capacity of local bodies; (iv) public participation and consultation; (v) cost recovery; (vi) improvements toward integrated management; (vii) public–private partnership; and (viii) data management, updating, and dissemination.