Waste management of plastics has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges for Nepal. With increasing rates of plastic production and consumption, coupled with insufficient recycling infrastructure in rapidly growing urban centers such as Pokhara and Kathmandu, the level of pollution has reached alarming heights. In response to this critical issue, Nepal has begun implementing its own version of using plastic waste in road construction. The concept of recycling plastic waste—such as noodle packages, biscuit wrappers, and other low-grade materials—and incorporating it into asphalt is revolutionary. This approach offers an environmentally friendly solution that simultaneously addresses pollution and improves road quality. However, despite the apparent advantages, several long-term drawbacks cannot be overlooked.
How Plastic Waste Roads Are Changing Cities in Nepal
Vehicles in the city of Pokhara now traverse roads whose construction partially relies on shredded plastics. This initiative is spearheaded by Green Road Waste Management, a local NGO founded by Bimal Bastola and his associates. The organization believes that low-grade plastics could serve as valuable construction materials instead of being discarded. According to the project team, approximately two tonnes of shredded plastics are required for each kilometer of road. Most of the plastics used consist of snack packets, multilayered food packaging, and other materials that cannot be easily recycled using existing technology. Explaining the rationale behind adopting this technology, Bastola stated: "A plastic road can use even low-grade plastics. We saw potential in these plastics and thought that there was room for utilizing them as a raw material and a substitute for bitumen in road construction." Shredded plastics are first melted before being coated onto road aggregates. Bitumen is then added to produce the asphalt mix. According to those working on the project, these roads are expected to last longer and be more resistant to water damage.
Nepal's Growing Urban Plastic Waste Crisis
Nepal has been grappling with solid waste management problems for many years. Rapid urbanization, increased consumption, and inadequate recycling processes have all contributed to plastic pollution. For instance, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal publication, urban areas in Nepal dump hundreds of tons of plastic trash daily. This poses a risk to ecosystems, public health, and water systems. Another study published by The World Bank states that Nepal's urban regions generate approximately 5,000 tons of solid waste each day, with plastics being among the most common waste types. It is common to see online posts about littering and inadequate waste management, noting that plastic waste lines roadsides, rivers, and even mountain tracks outside urban centers.
Can Plastic Roads Really Help Make Cities Cleaner?
Advocates of this method believe it can solve Nepal's dual problem of road repairs and plastic waste. Research titled "Use of Plastic Waste in Road Construction" by Akendra Budha, a research scholar from Nepal College of Information Technology, characterizes this practice as "a low-hanging fruit which will help solve two issues at the same time—making sturdy roads and managing the issue of plastic waste." Many countries, including India, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, have already experimented with this technology. In India alone, reports suggest that several thousand kilometers of road have been constructed using this method. However, environmental experts emphasize that much research is still needed. Valerie Hickey from the climate change division of the World Bank stated that scientists should study emissions during production, the risks of microplastics release, and the road degradation process. Nonetheless, the government of Nepal continues to implement the practice and plans to test it in Kathmandu as well.
The Future of Sustainable Road Construction in Nepal
Nepal's experience with using plastics to construct roads is a step toward rethinking waste utilization. Although this innovation may not resolve all issues related to plastic pollution in Nepal, it illustrates how waste can be effectively used to build new infrastructure elements. Additionally, the attempt by Nepalese authorities to make use of plastic waste and build environmentally friendly infrastructure has been perceived positively by the public, who hope that streets in Nepal will soon become cleaner. If proven successful, the project could serve as a model for other developing countries facing problems with plastic pollution and urban waste.
