Khaalisisi opens Samman Ghar at WOW Center for children of women waste workers

KATHMANDU: Khaalisisi, in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, inaugurated Samman Ghar, a dedicated safe space for the children of women waste workers at Khaalisisi’s WOW Center — Well-Being Out of Waste — on World Recycling Day, March 18.

The facility, opened within the WOW Center, aims to address the childcare challenges faced by women who collect and sort recyclable materials. While these workers play a crucial role in recovering valuable materials and keeping urban areas cleaner, many struggle to balance work and childcare in unsafe or unsuitable environments.

Samman Ghar offers a supervised, nurturing environment where children can play and learn while their mothers work, giving waste workers greater peace of mind and dignity in the workplace. The centre forms part of the WOW Center’s broader mission to improve recycling systems while uplifting the people who sustain them.

Speaking at the inauguration, Khaalisisi Chief Executive Officer Amun Thapa said, “Waste workers are the backbone of Nepal’s recycling system, yet their contributions often go unseen. Samman Ghar is a small but meaningful step toward recognising their role and ensuring their children have a safe space to learn and grow. At Khaalisisi, we believe building a circular economy must also mean building dignity and support for the people who power it.”

Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, which supported the development of the WOW Center, reiterated its commitment to combining environmental outcomes with community well-being. Sneha Shrestha, Community & Sustainability Manager at Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, said, “At Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, we believe that a truly effective recycling system is built not only on infrastructure, but on the well-being of the people who sustain it every day. Samman Ghar reflects our commitment to creating a better shared future, one that advances environmental progress while uplifting communities. Through our partnership with Khaalisisi, we are honoured to support initiatives that recognise the invaluable contributions of women waste workers and create safe, nurturing spaces for their families to learn and thrive. We remain committed to fostering inclusive, resilient communities as part of our broader sustainability journey.”

Khaalisisi said it plans to expand the Samman Ghar concept to offer broader support to waste-worker families. Proposed future initiatives include health support, educational opportunities for children, and additional community programmes designed to improve the well-being of waste-worker households.

Khaalisisi and Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal said the inauguration was an example of how partnerships between social enterprises and private sector organisations can help build a recycling ecosystem that is both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.