Baglung launches ‘zero waste’ initiative

The city is now on a mission to reverse these issues and turn Baglung into a model town for sustainable waste management.

Organic waste collected from households and businesses will be converted into compost to enrich the soil for agricultural purposes.

The municipality has signed a preliminary agreement to supply and install waste incineration machines.

The city of Baglung aims to manage waste by separating it into three categories: organic, non-organic, and hazardous.

After years of searching for a long-term solution, the hill town launched an ambitious 'zero waste' initiative to tackle its waste problem by promoting recycling, composting, and responsible disposal methods. For decades, Baglung has struggled with waste management, resorting to dumping garbage along the banks of the Kaligandaki and Kathekhola rivers. This caused significant environmental concerns, like water pollution and an overwhelming stench. The city is now on a mission to reverse these issues and turn Baglung into a model town for sustainable waste management. Mayor Basanta Kumar Shrestha announced that ten million rupees are allocated to support this zero-waste initiative for the current fiscal year

Build critical infrastructure For over 15 years, the dumping site at Khudurke, near the Kaligandaki, was the primary waste destination—accumulating tons of mixed waste. Fortunately, this ugly landfill has recently been cleared. All the waste was buried.

The clearing of Khudurke marks a shift towards more effective waste management practices. The new program will keep the environment cleaner and repurpose and recycle the waste in a way that contributes to the local economy.

The new budget will be used to build facilities that will enable the efficient processing of different types of waste. Organic waste collected from households and businesses will be converted into compost to enrich the soil for agricultural purposes. Non-organic waste, such as plastics, will be collected, sorted, and sold to recycling companies, creating a potential revenue stream for the municipality.

The new infrastructure will also include segregation points, where hazardous waste, such as medical and glass waste, will be treated separately. Plans exist to import state-of-the-art incineration technology from South Korea. The municipality has signed a preliminary agreement with ALK Eco to supply and install waste incineration machines. This installation will incinerate one to three tonnes daily. It needs a moderate amount of electricity while producing no smoke, helping to reduce the volume of hazardous waste drastically without releasing harmful emissions into the air.

Depending on the capacity, the costs may range from six to almost 12 million rupees. The provider has promised a three-year service guarantee and free technical training for local staff. Technicians from South Korea will travel to Baglung to provide municipal workers with hands-on training on operating and maintaining the incinerators. This international collaboration reflects Baglung's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to pursue a zero-waste future.

Colour coded bins Another innovative aspect of the new waste strategy is introducing a three-bin system. Each household will receive a green bin for organic waste, a blue one for non-organic waste, and a red one for hazardous waste. This simple but effective approach ensures that waste is segregated at the source, making it easier to process and manage different types of garbage. Separate, colour-coded vehicles will collect the bins daily.

One of the biggest complaints from locals and travellers passing through Baglung has been the stench from the dumping ground at Khudurke. The roadside dump, filled with rotting organic materials, created an unbearable smell, especially during summer.

Baglung plans to pave the ground at the new waste collection points to prevent liquids from seeping into the soil and causing decay. Additionally, corrugated iron sheets will cover the collection points, reducing exposure to rain and water, often exacerbating the odour problem.

The cleared dumping ground at Khudurke is now set to be transformed into a green park. Baglung Municipality's chief administrative officer, Haridatta Kandel, explained that the landfill would be covered with soil and planted with grass to create an odour-free and visually appealing space for the community. The park's creation is expected to improve the local environment and provide a green recreational space for residents.

Savyata Adhikari is a junior editor for Nepal Connect.

Baglung launches ‘zero waste’ initiative

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