Global Compact Nepal, ZWIA host zero waste conference in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Global Compact Nepal (GCN) and the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), in partnership with HECAF 360, brought together more than 50 participants from over 35 businesses and organisations at Central College in Kathmandu on Thursday. The event, titled 'Zero Waste for Sustainable Business', aimed to promote practical waste-reduction measures in Nepali industry.

Meanwhile, the two-and-a-half-hour conference combined expert presentations with a facilitated discussion to introduce internationally recognised zero-waste definitions, certification criteria and audit practices, and to encourage peer learning and collaboration among companies and sustainability practitioners.

At the opening ceremony, Minita Ghimire, programme manager at GCN, welcomed attendees and, together with Krishna Shah, executive director of GCN, presented certificates to new members. Narayan Krishna Kharel, general secretary of GCN, delivered opening remarks stressing the private sector’s central role in achieving zero‑waste goals.

During the technical segment, Pål Mårtensson, board member of ZWIA, opened by asking, “What is Zero Waste?” He outlined ZWIA’s internationally approved definitions and described waste‑treatment practices the alliance considers unacceptable. Mårtensson, who had spent the morning collecting litter with Central College students, compared the types of waste found in Kathmandu with global patterns.

Likewise, Christienne de Tournay, programme manager at Zero Waste USA, explained the Zero Waste Planning Certification process and the rating categories — Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum — used to assess a company’s waste performance. She emphasised the hierarchy of material use, from redesign and reuse at the top to landfill and waste-to-energy at the bottom.

Additionally, Ruth Abbe, board member of Zero Waste USA, described how zero-waste audits are carried out across offices and factory floors and argued that, despite upfront costs, many zero-waste measures reduce long-term expenses by cutting material use and improving production yields. She presented a case study of a Nepali company and recommended practical changes such as replacing individual desk bins with communal sorting areas to improve segregation and employee engagement.

A panel discussion led by Sanjeev Pandey of HECAF 360 examined barriers and opportunities for zero waste in Nepal. Participants shared practical challenges and successes. Anuja Agrawal of British Color Industries said her company had successfully reused paint solvents to reduce costs and waste but had not yet found a sustainable alternative for disposable personal protective equipment used in painting. Panelists advised businesses to aim high on recycling and repurposing targets — for example, striving to recycle or repurpose 90% of waste — while continuing to seek viable alternatives for difficult-to-replace items.

Organisers said the event reflected growing interest among Nepali businesses in responsible and sustainable practices, and that the forum created opportunities for collaboration, capacity building and follow-up action. Participants left with concrete feedback and a renewed commitment to advance zero-waste initiatives within their organisations.