The Nepal Weekly 
March 11, 2025
Nepal Solid Waste Management Consortium is planning to organize the Second International Conference on Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy. The proposed event will be held during 29 October-1 November 2025. The conference will be participated in by world’s leading scientists, researchers, and scholars, organisers mention.
The theme of ICSWMCA 2025 is “Waste Architecture for Society 5.0”. Acknowledging the fact that waste generation rates are increasing worldwide, particularly in the emerging economies and the challenges faced for its management could be solved through the discussion on issues in a common platform and possible innovations. The major objective is to provide a platform for individuals to gather, interact and share new scientific innovations, identify challenges and opportunities on solid waste management.
The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for researchers from different fields in solid waste management and relate it with waste architecture for society to discuss recent advances, share innovative ideas, and promote international collaborations.
This event will mark a significant milestone for Nepal, uniting international scientists and technical experts to collaboratively address the pressing global challenges of climate change and solid waste management, says Ganesh Shah, former minster for environment, science and technology, chairperson of the organising committee.
The Second International Conference on Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy will focus mainly on bringing together the world’s leading academic scientists, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share their scientific knowledge, working experiences and promote collaboration f o r solid waste management. Similarly, it will focus on promoting the evidence-based practice, education al innovations, practical applications in all aspect of solid waste management. The conference will also feature on providing exceptional opportunity for networking and collaboration for transformative development of solid waste professionals.
Moreover, agenda for presentation and discussion will cover AI and waste management, circular economy, climate change implications, disaster waste management, financing and economic waste, hazardous waste management, integrated waste management, linkages to society 5.0, plastic waste management, sustainable waste management, treatment practices, waste business, waste policy and legislation and waste to energy.
More to discuss on the subject matter, we need to consider the contemporary situations – both local and global.
The rapid pace of urbanization, coupled with changing consumption patterns, has led to a surge in waste generation globally. Traditional waste management practices, often characterized by inefficient disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration, have proven inadequate in addressing the sheer volume and complexity of contemporary waste streams. These practices not only contribute to environmental degradation but also compromise the availability of finite resources. The escalating environmental concerns, combined with the realization of the finite nature of resources, have catalysed a paradigm shift towards more sustainable approaches.
Waste management directly connects to health, hygiene, sanitation, agriculture, energy and economy.
Wastes generated by agricultural activities and forest are widely discussed waste in Nepal while municipality waste has been taken as a serious matter. The possible upcoming ‘waste to manage’ will be ‘replaced batteries of electric vehicles’.
Biogas plants are the solutions for agricultural and animal waste including cow dung, human waste (manure). The large size biogas plants are useful to generate biogas for cooking replacing LPG and also fuelling vehicles in lieu of fossil fuels. The biogas plants also produce organic fertilisers as agricultural inputs. Agricultural residues can be utilised to produce good quality briquettes and pallets which can replace firewood, coal for domestic and industrial fuels. Municipal wastes can be reused and recycled and organic waste can be used to generate biogas and fertilisers. Electric and electronic wastes are also materials to reuse and recycle. Most of the abandoned parts made of metal and plastic are recycled to be reused. However, chemical contains need serious attention to dispose without harm to nature and human. The hospital waste is more sensitive. They required much attention as well. The EV replaced batteries not yet have been felt as a problem, but will soon appear a burden. In Nepal’s context, the batteries are supposed to be taken back by the manufacturers. But they can be used for electricity storage, especially in the Solar PV electricity storage. It requires, policy, guideline and mandatory rules formulated by the federal government.
Thus, the ‘waste’ which have been a problem for all times should be reused, recycled and went through recovery of resources as guided by the principles and methodologies of circular economy.
The circular economy presents itself as an alternative to the prevailing linear model, emphasizing the reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery of resources. At its core, the circular economy seeks to create a closed-loop system, minimizing waste generation and maximizing the utilization of resources through sustainable practices. Integrating circular economy principles into waste management becomes paramount in mitigating the environmental impacts associated with traditional linear models while concurrently unlocking economic opportunities.
The reduction of waste at the source is the primary aim of the circular economy. This involves minimizing the use of raw materials, adopting sustainable production practices, and encouraging responsible consumption patterns. Extending the lifespan of products and materials through reuse is a cornerstone of circularity. This principle promotes the design and manufacturing of products with durability and reparability in mind, fostering a culture of reuse over disposal. Recycling involves the systematic processing of waste materials to extract valuable resources, diverting them from landfills. This process not only conserves resources but also reduces the environmental impact associated with the extraction and production of raw materials. Beyond recycling, the recovery of energy from waste contributes to the circular economy’s goal of optimizing resource utilization.
This drive for innovation not only addresses environmental concerns but also opens new avenues for economic growth. Circular economy principles foster the emergence of new business models centred around productas-a-service, leasing, and remanufacturing. This shift encourages companies to rethink their approach to production and consumption, promoting sustainable practices that contribute to long-term economic viability. The transition to circular practices has the potential to generate employment opportunities in various sectors. The demand for skills in waste management, recycling technologies, and sustainable design is expected to rise, creating a workforce geared towards a more sustainable future. Circular practices can lead to significant cost savings for businesses. By optimizing resource use, minimizing waste, and engaging in responsible production and consumption, companies can reduce expenses associated with raw material procurement, waste disposal, and environmental remediation. Examining case studies from diverse sectors and regions provides empirical evidence of the economic benefits realized through the adoption of circular practices. From small enterprises to multinational corporations, the circular economy is proving to be a viable and lucrative approach to business. (By Purna N. Ranjitkar)
