Kathmandu: UNDP Nepal and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City are working together to improve waste management in Dhangadhi through a Green Transition Portfolio that is creating jobs, supporting women, and promoting a circular economy.
Under the project, more than 90 percent of municipal waste in Dhangadhi is now segregated at the source, allowing recyclable materials to be processed into useful products such as plastic blocks, pellets, and furniture. The initiative has generated about Rs 7.2 million this year and is expected to grow annually.
A public–private partnership with Nanda Devi Sewa Kendra is helping manage daily waste operations. Households pay Rs 70–100 per month for waste services, while organic waste is sent to a biogas plant.
The project has created 145 local jobs, with women making up more than half of the workforce. Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal said the effort has turned waste management into a shared civic responsibility.
Kyoko Yokosuka, Resident Representative of UNDP Nepal, said the initiative shows how cities can link environmental protection with economic growth and social inclusion.
Officials say Dhangadhi’s experience could become a model for other Nepali cities facing waste management challenges.
