Dhangadhi, Nepal - In a city where unmanaged plastic waste once posed a growing threat to rivers, public spaces, and landfills, a quiet transformation is taking place at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Dhangadhi. Waste workers at the facility are not only sorting and processing discarded plastics; they are helping reshape how urban waste is valued and managed in Nepal.
Under the Management of Plastic Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics project, supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Dhangadhi’s MRF has emerged as a key node in a broader national effort to strengthen inclusive and sustainable plastic waste management systems. The project emphasizes both environmental protection and social inclusion, recognizing waste workers as essential actors in the transition toward a circular economy.
According to project data, the initiative has already enabled the recovery of 1,150 metric tonnes of plastic waste, preventing it from entering rivers, open dumping sites, and fragile landscapes. At the human level, the project has supported 1,550 waste workers, including around 600 women, helping formalize livelihoods that have long remained informal and under-recognized.
Beyond recovery figures, infrastructure development has been central to the intervention. Six Material Recovery Facilities across key regions of Nepal, including Dhangadhi, have been equipped with improved processing and management technologies. These upgrades have enhanced efficiency, safety, and the overall capacity of municipalities to manage plastic waste more responsibly.
Local stakeholders note that the Dhangadhi MRF represents more than a waste-processing site. It reflects a shift in thinking-from viewing plastic solely as an environmental burden to treating it as a recoverable resource within a circular system. By investing in people, skills, and infrastructure, the project is helping integrate waste workers into formal waste management frameworks while reducing plastic pollution at the source.
As Nepal continues to grapple with rapid urbanization and rising plastic consumption, initiatives like the Dhangadhi MRF highlight the importance of inclusive, system-based solutions. By placing waste workers at the frontline and strengthening recovery infrastructure, the project offers a practical model for turning waste into worth-while protecting ecosystems and supporting livelihoods across the country.
