Plastic Waste Recycling in Nepal : challenges and solutions
Thapa, Rekha (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053118828
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053118828
Tiivistelmä
Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to plastic waste because it has very little recycling infrastructure and inadequate waste management policies. The country produces an estimated 2.7 million tons of waste annually, and of that, 12 percent is plastic. Every day, Kathmandu alone produces 58 tons of plastic waste. While some attempts have been made to mitigate plastic waste through policy interventions, the effectiveness of recycling has been low. This research focuses on examining the challenges and solutions to plastic waste recycling in Nepal to improve its waste management and align with global sustainability goals.
The circular economy framework is used to guide this study with a focus on waste reduction, reuse and recycling. It discusses three main concepts: the current status of plastic waste management in Nepal, the obstacles preventing effective recycling, and the strategies that could improve recycling practices. The research employs both descriptive and analytical secondary data research methods using government and NGO reports, academic journals, and industry data to give a comprehensive insight into the issue. While quantitative data, including recycling rates, are analyzed descriptively, thematic analysis is used to analyze qualitative data in order to determine common issues and potential areas for enhancement.
The expected findings suggest that there are numerous challenges that hinder the recycling activities in Nepal, such as; inadequate structures, poor compliance with policies, lack of awareness among the people, and inadequate resources. The study also offers recommendations that include enhancing the recycling facilities, educating people on the importance of recycling, enhancing the policy implementation and enhancing the technology. The findings can be used to overcome the challenges and enhance the overall plastic waste recycling systems of Nepal, which will help in the furtherance of sustainable waste management practices and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The circular economy framework is used to guide this study with a focus on waste reduction, reuse and recycling. It discusses three main concepts: the current status of plastic waste management in Nepal, the obstacles preventing effective recycling, and the strategies that could improve recycling practices. The research employs both descriptive and analytical secondary data research methods using government and NGO reports, academic journals, and industry data to give a comprehensive insight into the issue. While quantitative data, including recycling rates, are analyzed descriptively, thematic analysis is used to analyze qualitative data in order to determine common issues and potential areas for enhancement.
The expected findings suggest that there are numerous challenges that hinder the recycling activities in Nepal, such as; inadequate structures, poor compliance with policies, lack of awareness among the people, and inadequate resources. The study also offers recommendations that include enhancing the recycling facilities, educating people on the importance of recycling, enhancing the policy implementation and enhancing the technology. The findings can be used to overcome the challenges and enhance the overall plastic waste recycling systems of Nepal, which will help in the furtherance of sustainable waste management practices and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.