By: Rajani Bhattarai/ Roji Maharjan

Kathmandu: The compost bin programme started by Kathmandu Metropolitan City a decade ago to manage solid waste in the Kathmandu has not been effective. Though the programme has aimed to reduce garbage problem it has been ineffective after the consumers did not show much interest in it.

Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of Environment Department of KMC said, “Consumers have not shown much interest in the programme operated through Community Mobilization Unit under the Environment Management Department.” Only 4,000 households have adopted the technology. The programme was started with an objective to manage garbage at the household level and promote composting. Compost fertilizer made by decaying degradable household waste is suitable for field and garden. Shrestha told that garbage of the Kathmandu will be reduced to great extent if all the Kathmanduites start composting their waste in bins.
In Kathmandu where a single person produces 0.3 kg garbage everyday, the KMC has arranged training on proper use of compost bin to aware the consumers. Community Mobilization Unit is operating different programmes including children and environment programme, community training, exhibition of environment-friendly technologies. The KMC is launching Reuse, Reduce and Recycle (3R) programme in order to solve the increasing garbage problem in the Kathmandu Valley. “The programme will be launched within next two months,” said Sanu Maiya Maharjan, coordinator of Community Mobilization Unit.

Source: Nepal Samacharpatra, February 18, 2009