Reducing plastic pollution in Nepal's rivers by strengthening informal recycling and improving waste management.

Overview

Plastic pollution threatens Nepal's rivers, ecosystems and communities. Informal waste workers play an essential role in collecting and recycling discarded materials, yet their contribution is often overlooked and their working conditions remain challenging.

This policy brief presents findings and recommendations from the three-year *Preventing Plastic in Nepal Rivers by Boosting the Informal Sector (RiPL)* project. It examines plastic pollution in Kathmandu's rivers, the challenges faced by informal recyclers, and practical ways to improve waste collection, recycling and circular economy approaches.

What You'll Find

The policy brief highlights research and practical experience from the RiPL project, including:

• Plastic pollution hotspots:** Identifying where plastics accumulate in Kathmandu's rivers and the factors contributing to pollution.
  
• Informal recycling workers:** Findings on the sector's contribution, working conditions, and the need for greater recognition and support.
  
• Improving waste collection:** Lessons from two decentralised collection centres that can divert more than 15,000 kg of waste per month.
  
• Recycling challenges:** Barriers to recovering low-value and multi-layered plastics, including limited technologies and markets.
  
• Policy recommendations:** Ten recommendations covering waste management, extended producer responsibility, collaboration with informal recyclers, and public awareness.
  

Why It Matters

Tackling river plastic pollution requires more than removing waste from waterways. It means improving how waste is collected, managed and recycled, while recognising the people who already contribute to these systems.

Drawing on evidence from Kathmandu, the brief offers policymakers and waste management stakeholders practical recommendations for reducing plastic leakage, supporting informal recyclers and strengthening more inclusive waste management systems.

Banner photo credit: DOKO Recyclers.

Skills: Environmental Policy Facilitation Governance Reform Co-creation Processes Pollution Research Research Synthesis Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder engagement and co-creation stakeholder engagement and multi-sector partnerships

Tags: circular economy informal recycling informal recycling sector informal waste sector Nepal plastic pollution recycling waste management River Pollution