Footprints Project
Since 2005, travelers like you have helped us change the world through micro-donations.
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A total of
12653
Travelers
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donated
$29005.16
(100% funded) -
to help improve
Environment
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in
Nepal
Project background
The Everest Region is one of the most popular trekking destinations of the world and is visited by thousands of trekkers each year. With the increase in number of trekkers over the years, trashes are often left scattered along the trekking trails because of lack of proper waste collection bins. Temporary bamboo bins were installed at several resting points, but it is found to be an ineffective way to collect wastes as the wind often blows off the trashes.
Thus, this project aims to setup a proper waste management system to keep the trekking trails clean by building permanent garbage bins at various resting points. Each bin has a segregation chamber to store burnable and non-burnable garbage separately, which ensures that valuable wastes are treated properly through reuse, recycle or up cycle.
Project challenges
Some of the construction sites for garbage bins are located at very high altitude around 5000 meters. So, construction of garbage bins at some sites was quite difficult because of extreme weather conditions. Further, construction materials had to be transported by porters for several days to these construction sites.
Project activities
- Selection of sites for construction of garbage bins: Initially, sites for construction of garbage bins were selected. 20 sites located at major resting points along various trekking trails within the Everest Region were selected in consultation with local communities residing nearby the trails.
- Site visit and survey: A team consisting of SPCC representative, builders and National Park ranger visited each site for site measurement and approval.
- Approval from National Park and local government: As the sites are located within Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, approval for construction were sought from both National Park and rural municipality.
- Procurement/collection of construction materials: Procurement of construction materials such as CGI sheet, iron rods and metal doors were done in Namche and Kathmandu. Building materials such as sands and stones were collected nearby each construction sites.
- Transportation of construction materials: Construction materials transported by porters to each construction sites.
- Construction of garbage bins: 20 garbage bins were constructed at various trekking resting places along major trekking trails located within the Everest Region in 2018 and 2019.
- Installation of donor plaque: Donor plaque installed on all 20 bins.
- Monitoring and management of garbage bins: All garbage bins are regularly managed by SPCC field staff and local partners located at various settlements.
Project results
- 20 garbage bins were built at various resting points along the trekking trails of Everest Region. Each garbage bin has the capacity of storing approximately 30 kilograms of wastes. With the completion of 20 garbage bins, several hundreds kilos of wastes generated by trekkers will be collected along the trekking trails each year. Thus, with installation of permanent garbage bins, this project helps in keeping the trekking trails clean and free of scattered trashes.
- Each garbage bin has two chambers to collect burnable and non-burnable garbage separately. Thus, wastes are segregated at source by categories to ensure that different types of wastes are properly treated and managed accordingly.
- The project will also convey a strong message of having a proper waste management system, which can be replicated in other trekking trails of Nepal or elsewhere in the world.
Partners and community involvement
- Local communities and community-based organizations: Consultation with local communities, youth groups, women’s groups etc. done for site selection for construction of garbage bins.
- Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone Management Committee: All sites located within Sagarmatha National Park. So, approval and direct coordination with the Park was mandatory for the project.
- Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality: The Khumbu Region is administratively located within Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, so coordination with the local government was necessary.
What next?
SPCC will continue to work in:
- building waste management infrastructures (now our priority is building non-burnable waste collection centers at various settlements so that the recyclable garbage can be taken to recycling centers;
- finding new initiative for small scale recycling projects at local level; and
- continue our ongoing waste management programs in the Region. We have now 119 total garbage bins and we will continue to monitor and manage all the bins.
Can I visit the project?
Sure, you are most welcome to visit the project sites. Seven garbage bins built in 2018 are located along the main Everest Base Camp trekking trail - all ATCF funded bins are located at various resting points located between Tengboche village and Lobuche village. The thirteen bins built in 2019 are located in the Thame valley trekking trail along the route upto the Renjo La Pass. All ATCF funded bins are located between Thame village and below Renjo La Pass. The Renjo La Pass is also one of popular trekking routes in the Everest Region. All bins are located along the main trekking routes so anyone who is trekking along that route will easily see it.
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