Kleanit Upcyclers, Impact Hub host interactive recycling showcase on World Environment Day

KATHMANDU: Kleanit Upcyclers and Impact Hub hosted an interactive recycling showcase on World Environment Day, Thursday.

The event was funded by P2G (Plastic to Ghar) and Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programmes.

Milan Bohara, CEO and co‑founder of Kleanit Upcyclers, said, “We manufacture furniture, construction materials, household items, gifts and repurposed materials for the hospitality industry from recycled plastic. Plastic is malleable and abundant; we’ve innovated the machinery to utilise its potential. Today, we have this showcase where participants can interact with how plastics can be repurposed.”

As many as 18 students from grade 10 at Pheonix School, Sanepa, pedalled atop the ‘Cycle Shredder’, a contraption that uses pedalling to turn bottle caps into plastic chips. Kleanit's Product Design Specialist Manish Karki melted these plastic chips, and the students placed the melted plastic in moulds to create upcycled flowerpots, coasters and ornaments from discarded plastics.

The Impact Hub co‑working space also had stalls from green organisations showcasing repurposed products and plastic alternatives. Eco Sathi Nepal, Green Decision Labs and Research, Eco Family, Hatti Hatti Nepal, Paramendo, Rekriti and Bikalpa were present with their products and innovation in reducing waste.

A discussion session titled ‘Behavioural Shifts for Circular Futures’ was conducted, during which industry experts weighed in on instilling circular waste management practices. Moderated by Rahul Bisunkhe from Paramendo, Sunny Rajopadhyay and Alina Tuladhar from Kleanit Upcyclers, Sajana Jirel from Hatti Hatti, Rohan Shrestha, the Programme Officer for the Routes of Circularity project, and Pratik Kharel from Eco Family shared their advocacy, experiences and interests with the audience.

The panel discussed incentives for locals to practise proper waste management, setbacks in the industry and recommendations for cross‑venture development in the sector.

The highlight of the event was the collective effort to tackle waste both inside and outside the valley. Motivated Nepalis are seeking solutions at different scales rather than propagating pre‑existing problems.