ZWIA representatives from Indonesia, Sweden, and United States just returned from a rewarding, far-reaching trip to Nepal providing Zero Waste outreach and education to many tourism communities throughout this beautiful country. Thank you to our host Mahesh Nakarmi of HECAF 360, and the many UN Global Compact, Rotary and Green Society members who sponsored our trip. From Kathmandu to Nagarkot, to Sauraha and Bandipur, and a homestay village above Jomsom in the Mustang region, the interest in employing Zero Waste principles was consistent. Rock star 3-time Everest summiter PK Sherpa Climate Campaigner and team trekked us through the teahouse hospitality offered along the 3-day route under the Himalayan Annapurna range, brainstorming ways to fight plastic waste. Representing Zero Waste USA and ZWIA (and with insights and case studies provided by Zero Waste Costa Rica), we moved the needle to help address tourism waste and documented best practices (reusable water bottles in place of plastics, reusable food ware, toiletries provided only on request, buffet style meals instead of plated servings). HECAF 360 doing business as Zero Waste Nepal will now be recognizing the businesses and institutions on the path to Zero Waste in Nepal.
