Background 

Pokhara, one of Nepal’s fastest-growing cities, stands at the crossroads of rapid urbanization, quick population expansion, and an escalating solid waste management crisis. As is the case in many countries, embracing eco-friendly practices is now an imperative for Nepal’s sustainable development. A notable trend in the region is the increasing interest among Nepalese youth in green entrepreneurship, which can help address pressing environmental concerns. Factors such as recurrent energy supply disruptions, heavy reliance on India for fossil fuel imports, and a mounting solid waste issue have catalyzed this shift. The recurring energy supply crisis in Nepal, characterized by frequent power cuts, has prompted a growing interest in clean energy alternatives among young entrepreneurs in Pokhara. This newfound enthusiasm extends beyond the energy sector, encompassing areas like waste management, organic farming, and forest-based products. However, waste management facilities are under severe strain, with Pokhara generating over 190 tonnes of municipal waste daily, 15% of which comprises plastic. This accumulation of plastic waste constitutes a significant portion of the city’s municipal solid waste. 

In response to challenges such inadequate waste management services and as unemployment, many young entrepreneurs in Pokhara have embarked on green start-ups. These ventures not only offer innovative solutions to local problems but also serve as a means of promoting entrepreneurship within the city. Their determination and resilience in the face of government negligence regarding waste management have paved the way for these inspiring initiatives. 

The GOGREEN Project in Nepal 

The GOGREEN project in Nepal aims to assess and promote a cluster of green enterprises in Pokhara, setting them as shining examples to empower and inspire young individuals. This cluster serves as a catalyst for the green transition in the region, motivating more youths to develop their green start-ups. Initially, the project will include three green start-ups from Pokhara, all of which are founded by local youths who are addressing the city’s pressing issues. 

Key Objectives: 

• Promote green entrepreneurship in Pokhara, Nepal. 
• Provide successful examples and stories of local green start-ups to inspire other young entrepreneurs. 
• Foster a sustainable transition towards green economic practices. 

• Address pressing environmental issues, including waste management and clean energy. 

Promoting green entrepreneurship in Pokhara, Nepal, is not only a response to the pressing environmental issues but also a means of inspiring and empowering the city’s youth. The commitment of local entrepreneurs to tackle these challenges head-on serves as a shining example of resilience and innovation in the face of adversity. The GOGREEN project plays a pivotal role in spotlighting these initiatives and encouraging more young individuals to embark on their journeys towards green entrepreneurship, all while contributing to the broader global goals of sustainable development. 

Pokhara Central Treatment Facility 

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is an escalating concern, especially in developing nations like Nepal. The rapid expansion of healthcare services in urban areas has led to a surge in solid waste production within healthcare facilities. Managing healthcare waste has grown increasingly complex, exacerbated by the improper disposal of highly infectious materials, such as needles and syringes, mixed with municipal solid waste (MSW). This mismanagement poses significant risks, not only to patients and healthcare workers but also to the community and the environment. HCWM encompasses a diverse range of waste types, demanding proper treatment and disposal to protect those involved and safeguard the environment. 

Situated in Pokhara, Nepal, the Pokhara Central Treatment Facility (PCTF) has been at the forefront of tackling this burgeoning issue since 2016. Founded by the visionary young entrepreneur, Santosh Poudel, who also operates Waste Services Pvt. Ltd., PCTF serves as Nepal’s pioneer healthcare waste treatment facility. Each day, PCTF effectively manages five tons of healthcare waste originating from more than 150 healthcare facilities in and around Pokhara. These facilities range from large medical colleges, private and public hospitals, laboratories, clinics, pharmacies, to nursing homes. PCTF’s approach to HCWM is comprehensive, encompassing various critical stages of waste management. This includes waste segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, storage, and the proper disposal of infectious and hazardous waste. This holistic approach is imperative in mitigating health and environmental risks associated with healthcare waste. 

Situated in Pokhara, Nepal, the Pokhara Central Treatment Facility (PCTF) has been at the forefront of tackling this burgeoning issue since 2016. Founded by the visionary young entrepreneur, Santosh Poudel, who also operates Waste Services Pvt. Ltd., PCTF serves as Nepal’s pioneer healthcare waste treatment facility. Each day, PCTF effectively manages five tons of healthcare waste originating from more than 150 healthcare facilities in and around Pokhara. These facilities range from large medical colleges, private and public hospitals, laboratories, clinics, pharmacies, to nursing homes. PCTF’s approach to HCWM is comprehensive, encompassing various critical stages of waste management. This includes waste segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, storage, and the proper disposal of infectious and hazardous waste. This holistic approach is imperative in mitigating health and environmental risks associated with healthcare waste. 

Gandaki Urja Pvt. Ltd, a privately-owned company based in Pokhara, Nepal, is pioneering sustainable practices through its substantial biogas plant. Established by a group of promising young individuals in 2019, the company has since made significant strides in the realm of environmental responsibility and economic sustainability. Gandaki Urja Pvt. Ltd operates a sizable 45-ton-per-day Compressed Biogas bottling plant, showcasing a commitment to effective waste management. Central to its operations are the multiple-feed Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) digesters, which ingeniously convert organic materials such as animal dung, manure, and household organic waste into biogas. This plant has the capacity to generate a remarkable 1,600 kg of Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG) daily, offering a green alternative to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The company further enriches the value chain by treating the digestate from digesters to create high-quality organic fertilizers, to the tune of approximately 10 tons per day. 

This visionary enterprise has not only revolutionized energy production but has also contributed to the economic stability and the journey towards sustainable energy in Nepal. By replacing LPG and chemical fertilizers, Gandaki Urja Pvt. Ltd paves the way for a greener and more prosperous future. By effectively managing organic waste and reducing fossil fuel and chemical fertilizer usage, the initiative mitigates methane gas emissions from animal and municipal waste, notably methane gas emissions. The production and application of organic fertilizer play a pivotal role in preventing soil and water pollution while enhancing local health and sanitation. Moreover, this multifaceted initiative provides employment opportunities, fosters workforce development, and stimulates the growth of local businesses, including shops and restaurants in the region. 

The Gandaki Urja Pvt. Ltd Biogas Plant is a testament to the potential of waste management and sustainable energy solutions. By ingeniously converting organic waste into a valuable resource, it not only benefits the environment but also catalyzes economic growth and community well-being. This initiative serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that innovative approaches to waste management can lead to far-reaching and positive impacts on both local and global scales. 

Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant 

The Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant is a beacon of hope and innovation, being the pioneer plastic bottle recycling facility in Nepal. Beyond recycling, this initiative plays a transformative role in the lives of street children and teenagers, offering them a path out of poverty and towards a brighter future. 

Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant is a remarkable endeavor, annually recycling a staggering 40 million plastic bottles. In the process, it creates employment opportunities for 60 dedicated staff members and more than 250 collectors and suppliers. This triple bottom line initiative is a testament to its remarkable success. One of its primary achievements is its significant contribution to poverty alleviation. The collaboration between a dedicated recycling facility and the involvement of scavengers, bottle collectors, and waste collection service providers has led to the substantial accumulation of PET bottles for recycling, offering a lifeline to many in need. Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant is also an environmental steward. By rescuing and recycling millions of plastic bottles annually, it substantially reduces plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on the Himalayan ecosystem. This initiative is not solely about recycling; it’s about making a lasting difference. Profits generated from its operations are reinvested in the protection, nurturing, and education of disadvantaged children in the Himalayas. This responsible investment cycle creates a positive ripple effect, securing a brighter future for the region’s youth. 

Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant stands as Nepal’s oldest recycling facility for PET-plastic bottles, located in Pokhara. Beyond its environmental impact, it processes more than 1,200 tons of plastic annually and offsets over 4,000 tons of carbon emissions. The high-quality plastic granulate it produces serves as a valuable resource for bottle production, making it an invaluable component of Nepal’s economy and environment. For many, it is not just a job; it is a lifeline, offering economic stability and hope for a better tomorrow. The Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant is more than a recycling facility; it is a testament to the power of green entrepreneurship in developing nations. It demonstrates that by focusing on the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—it’s possible to create lasting change. In addition to alleviating poverty, stewarding the environment, and making a positive economic impact, this initiative embodies the spirit of hope and transformation. It is an inspirational example of how sustainable businesses can generate multifaceted benefits for society, the environment, and the economy. 

Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) by Pokhara Metropolitan City Office 

In the pursuit of sustainable and efficient waste management within Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality, the Metropolitan has decided to establish a waste processing center based on the concept of public private partnership investment. This initiative operates under the framework of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2075, and the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Regulations, 2077, specifically under paragraph-3, in accordance with sub-section 2-c of Rule 17. The legally qualified companies are invited to express their interest in participating in the project to Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer of the Waste Processing Center. 

On May 03, 2023, Himalayan Life Plastics Recycling Plant, Pokhara Central Treatment Facility and Gandaki Urja have collaboratively submitted their application for the project. If selected, they will work together to establish a waste processing center focused on recycling, material and energy recovery from the waste generated from whole Pokhara Metropolitan city office.