The volume of waste arriving at the Banchare Danda landfill, the primary site for managing waste generated in the Kathmandu Valley, has significantly declined following the introduction of a household-level waste segregation policy, according to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

Prior to the policy's implementation, around 20 container trucks carrying waste reached the landfill daily. That number has now dropped to 15, said Sarita Rai, Chief of the Environment Management Department at KMC.

Of the 32 wards in the Valley, the waste segregation policy, which requires separating biodegradable and non-degradable waste at the source, has so far been introduced in 10 wards–12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 27.

Banchare Danda handles waste from 18 local governments within the Valley. These local units collectively generate approximately 1,600 tonnes of solid waste every day, according to official data.

The initiative aligns with the Solid Waste Management Act, 2011, which mandates waste segregation at the source, and the Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act, 2011 of KMC, both aiming to promote sustainable waste management practices.

Officials believe that as segregation practices expand across more wards and municipalities, the pressure on Banchare Danda could be further reduced, enhancing the Valley’s overall waste management efficiency.

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