Clean city update
december 9, 2019
It’s been a busy and fulfilling month for us at Clean City. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
One of the most distinct and beautiful features of Nepal is the Himalayan Mountain Range. Below the highest peaks in the world are a number of diverse and interconnected eco-regions, including moss cloaked pine and spruce forests, grassy alpine meadows, and tropical evergreens. The effects of climate change and human impact are posed to threaten not only the thousands of species of flora and fauna that are found in the Himalayas, but also its glaciers and waterways, which feed into the river systems for the entire Asian continent.
At the end of October, a few members of our team embarked on a 16-day trek through Tsum Valley and the Manaslu Conservation Area. Amidst the stunning scenery, we couldn’t help but notice the blatant lack of awareness, infrastructure, and management of waste in the mountain communities through which we hiked. With the help of our fellow trekkers, guides, and a Buddhist Monk we met on the path, we held an impromptu clean-up of nearly two miles of the trail and it’s surrounding area. We at Clean City believe that even the smallest steps are worth taking in pursuit of protecting what matters, and that change can begin at an individual level.
Back in Chitwan, volunteers and employees finished construction of a shelter for the composting station at our organic farm. We are excited to provide a facility that promotes a localized and circular economy; organic waste will be collected from hotels and restaurants and composted into fertilizer, which will then be used for growing vegetables that are sold back to the hotels and restaurants. This not only diverts the amount of waste that would end up in the landfill, but also provides a pesticide-free, local alternative to imported produce.
We were able to share the work we’ve been doing to close these loops for a more sustainable economic model at the Himalayan Circular Economy Forum (HiCEF) Program, hosted by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Nepal Economic Forum. The program included panelists across various economic, social, and cultural sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing circular economies in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and the world. It was inspiring to discuss and collaborate with leaders and changemakers who are dedicated to helping people and the planet.
We humbly extend our gratitude and appreciation for people such as yourself, who share and invest in our vision and values. We look forward to keeping you updated with our progress as it unfolds, and hope that you feel as hopeful and inspired as we do.
Warmest Regards,
Taylor
