Pokhara, December 2, 2025
Pokhara witnessed two days of energetic dialogue, practical learning, and forward-looking ideas as teachers from 15 schools came together to strengthen environmental education through recycling and upcycling initiatives.
The orientation programme was organised under the Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling (GCRU) Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and in coordination with Pokhara Metropolitan City. The programme was facilitated by Doko Recyclers, a social enterprise actively working on waste management and circular economy practices in Nepal.
The orientation aimed to equip schoolteachers with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate recycling and upcycling (RU) activities into everyday school life. Participants explored practical approaches to waste segregation, creative reuse of materials, student engagement strategies, and the broader link between recycling, green skills, and sustainable livelihoods.
Following the training, each participating school is set to establish student-led Recycling and Upcycling Clubs (RU Clubs). These clubs will function as creative spaces where students, guided by trained teachers, can design and implement hands-on initiatives focused on waste reduction, reuse, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
According to organisers, the RU Clubs are intended not only as environmental activities but also as platforms for leadership development, teamwork, and problem-solving. By placing students at the centre of action, the programme seeks to promote long-term behavioural change and nurture a culture of sustainability within schools and surrounding communities.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that early education plays a vital role in addressing Nepal’s waste management challenges while preparing young people for future green jobs. Through such collaborative efforts between international partners, local governments, schools, and social enterprises, Pokhara is taking concrete steps toward building cleaner, greener, and more innovative learning environments.
