‘We are drafting a law to achieve zero waste within three years’

The government is preparing legislation to improve waste management. Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal has stated that the Solid Waste Management Bill 2083 is in the process of being registered in Parliament. During Balendra Shah’s tenure as Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor, Lamsal worked on waste management issues. Notably, Minister Lamsal has also completed a PhD focused on solid waste management.

When Balendra Shah was mayor of Kathmandu, the Bancharedanda landfill site was initiated. However, the waste management problem persists. Why was the landfill site, planned for 20 years, filled up in just four years? Why is waste management so complex? What is the government doing to address these issues?

Focusing on these questions, OnlineKhabar reporter Dinesh Gautam interviewed Minister Lamsal. Below is an edited excerpt from the conversation:

You worked with Kathmandu Metropolitan and also studied solid waste management. Where are the problems in waste management? Why are solutions elusive?

The Constitution grants local governments authority over waste management, but the current Solid Waste Management Act dates back to 2011 (2068 BS), predating the Constitution. That law did not conceptualize an integrated waste management system. Many municipalities, including Kathmandu, require an integrated approach.

Because no integrated system was established, it was expected Kathmandu Metropolitan would lead under a common understanding, but this lacked legal validity, preventing sustainable progress.

In 2009 (2066 BS), a tender was issued for waste management in Kathmandu, but due to legal ambiguities and delays in decision-making, it could not be implemented.

The Constitution transferred waste management rights to local bodies, yet the tender remained pending due to weak legal foundations.

Another problem is unclear legal ownership of the landfill in Dhunibeshi Municipality. The forthcoming law will clarify these issues.

So, the bill is being prepared specifically for waste management? What does it include?

Yes, the Solid Waste Management Bill 2083 is in preparation. Having closely observed waste management challenges during my time in Kathmandu, the bill aims to address these problems.

The bill focuses on regulating solid waste and scrap from waste in an organized and pragmatic manner. It includes standards for reuse and recycling of scrap derived from waste.

In Kathmandu, waste is collected from homes and transferred to transfer stations. The old law did not authorize establishing transfer stations, which caused ongoing problems. The new bill exempts transfer stations from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements.

A transfer station is not for dumping waste; it is a place to transfer waste from smaller to larger vehicles.

This approach will help reduce waste and pave the way for a zero-waste concept. The bill mandates standards for vehicles used for collection, area, and location selection for transfer centers.

Regarding processing centers, provisions are made for units producing organic fertilizer (compost). These units will receive formal factory recognition and subsidies, encouraging conversion of waste into fertilizer, reducing waste destined for Bancharedanda.

The bill also includes provisions to generate electricity by burning waste or through other processes. The government guarantees to purchase electricity at rates between NPR 16 and 18 per unit, facilitating investment.

There is a provision for establishing crusher plants to process construction waste, producing items like tiles and rings, which the government will prioritize.

The bill also mandates incineration plants to burn unprocessable waste. Waste-producing companies must bear management costs proportional to their market share, reflecting global practices.

After the bill’s passage, municipalities must form committees within three months, allocate necessary land within six months, and transform all municipalities into zero-waste models within three years.

What was the main reason Bancharedanda landfill filled up in four years during your administration?

The main reason was the large quantity of waste. Currently, a minimum of 1500 metric tons of waste is generated daily. Lack of legal guidance prevented municipalities from establishing proper infrastructure, worsening the problem.

Many municipalities have not allocated land for waste management. In Kathmandu Metropolitan, only a small site at Teku was reserved, and that too is disputed.

Waste reduction must start at the source; simply transporting waste to landfills is not a solution. I am confident that effects of the bill will be visible within a year of its enactment.

Why was there no permanent solution during your time at Kathmandu Metropolitan?

We made progress and significantly reduced waste. At Teku alone, waste from 12 wards was reduced by over 80%. If all municipalities had done this, the landfill’s lifespan could have extended by 10 years.

The situation at Bancharedanda landfill is complex: leachate is leaking into streams, and surrounding villages suffer from foul odors. What is your assessment?

Currently, management is better than the previous Sisadol site but still needs improvement. It is important to convert this site into a processing unit because leachate is highly odorous.

We had advanced leachate treatment initiatives and reached the tender process but faced legal ambiguities. Leachate is the biggest challenge in managing mixed solid waste.

A leachate management dam was constructed at Bancharedanda, but overflow led to contamination of nearby streams. Why did this happen?

This occurs in the rainy season because the system is designed to collect leachate for evaporation and drying as per conceptual plans.

You planned to treat leachate and dump the treated waste on top of the landfill; why did this fail?

It did not fail but became less effective due to heavy rainfall. The system works effectively during other times.

Local residents are dissatisfied, citing unbearable odors and questioning the landfill’s capacity. What is the status of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report?

The EIA has been completed. The report assesses whether additional land is needed and the extent of impact. There are differences between local demands and the report’s findings, so further study is needed.

Land acquisition has occurred from the hilltop down to the landfill site, but people still farm on acquired government land.

Locals say, ‘We can’t live with waste; how much longer can this continue?’ How do you respond?

People do not live close to the waste, but they suffer from its effects. We need long-term solutions.

Locals have threatened protests. What is the basis for resolution?

We must act and deliver results now. The Parliament will debate this issue, which is the proper forum. The government is working quickly and with understanding. Solid and permanent solutions can be found within one or two years.

Will the bill pass in this parliamentary session or extend to the next?

Once introduced to Parliament, progress will follow required procedures. It can pass quickly in the House of Representatives, and no major issues are expected in the National Assembly.