Zero waste is a collection of waste prevention concepts that encourages resource life cycle redesign such that all items are reused. All resources are conserved by responsible production, use, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning, and without discharges to land, water, or air that endanger the environment or human health. Increasing population, booming economy, rapid urbanization and the rise in community living standards have significantly accelerated the solid waste generation in the world. Solid waste has become one of the global environmental issues. Continuous depletion of natural finite resources is leading the globe to an uncertain future. To prevent further depletion of global resources, sustainable consumption and a strategic waste management system would be required. One approach that has been suggested as a means of addressing these concerns is that of the concepts of “Zero Waste”. However, transforming currently over-consuming activities into zero waste is still challenging. Principles of Zero waste is mainly based on  Refuse what you do not need. Reduce what you can't refuse. Reuse instead of tossing. Recycle anything that can't be reused, or refused. Rot what is compostable.

Zero waste strategy for solid waste management in Nepal

Management of solid waste is a growing concern in Nepal as urban population densities increase and flat usable land is in short supply. Although small urban centres were declared to be municipalities, they suffer from a lack of infrastructural, technical and financial resources to tackle the problems of waste management. With increasing public awareness about good health and a clean environmental sanitation, solid waste management has now become the priorities of the municipalities in Nepal. Municipalities, for managing the waste, are expressing their desire to develop final disposal system even though collection systems are still not in place. They are also promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling among the communities. However, in spite of the many challenges faced by municipalities, in some urban areas, municipalities have joined hands with local communities and the private sector to introduce innovative approaches for waste management that are cost effective and efficient. These include door-to-door collection system in some areas of Kathmandu and several other municipalities, plastic collection and recycling systems with  community and private sector participation in Hetauda and Bharatpur, composting in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, medical waste management in Hetauda and landfilling in Tribhuwannagar. The challenge now is to replicate and scale up these good examples. This paper has been prepared to document these positive experiences and transfer their lessons to other municipalities and encourage similar initiatives in urban sanitation.

 Towards zero waste – Nepal

Towards zero waste is a program  that is usually conducted in country for  sustainable waste management. Towards Zero Garbage strives to enhance Kathmandu's environment by changing people's attitudes toward waste and implementing better waste management procedures. It began in Boudhanath and will be expanded to the entire city of Kathmandu in five years

Fast facts:

·         About 1,000 households have been involved in this activity;

·         500 kilograms of organic waste is managed at the Zero Waste Center. The Center has trained 100 women to produce sustainable products out of the waste;

·         Around one tons  of organic waste is processed daily and made into compost and biogas. So far, 30 kilograms of CO2 emissions have been avoided each day.

The problem

Kathmandu's population is estimated to be over 2.5 million people. The lack of adequate resources and waste management is producing serious environmental and public health problems. The frequent piling of rubbish in the streets is a direct result.

The solution

Tinchuli's Zero Waste Center was established as a result of this initiative. By reusing and upcycling waste, this center creates paper bags, cloth bags, and paper jewelry. Local women benefit financially from these products. The Zero Waste Center has so far taught 100 local women and adolescents in repurposing and selling recycled goods. These items are worth more than INR 50,000 each.