SPCC continues to focus on strengthening proper system for waste segregation at the base camps, along trekking trails and in various settlements so that all types of wastes don’t end up in a dumping pit. Wastes are segregated into two categories: burnable and non-burnable at source and treated accordingly. Burnable garbage includes papers, packets, plastic, cloths, foodscraps etc. Non-burnable garbage category includes cans, tins, glass bottles, EPI gas cylinder, O2 gas cylinder, batteries etc. Garbages in non-burnable categories are either reused or recycled at source or taken to Kathmandu for further treatment.
Disposal of Burnable Garbages
Organic wastes, such as foodscraps are fed to animals; whereas other burnable garbages are incinerated at our waste management facilities. We have two waste management facilities equipped with incinerator located at Namche and Lukla. Burnable garbage generated by expedition groups and generated by tourism enterprises located in these major settlements will be incinerated at our waste management facilities. We have also built several enclosed burning chambers in various settlements for management of burnable garbages.
Treatment of Non-burnable Garbages
Non-burnable garbages are collected in our non-burnable collection centers located at various settlements for further treatment. Our non-burnable garbage collection centers are located at Namche, Lukla, Phakding, Pangboche, Syangboche, Pheriche and Tengboche. This category garbage are either reused or recycled at source or taken to Kathmandu for further treatment.
Transportation of non-burnable garbage to Kathmandu for recycling
As it is environmentally not appropriate to dispose non-burnable garbage in the mountains, SPCC transports non-burnable garbage to Kathmandu for further treatment at recycling centers. SPCC collects and transports non-burnable garbage from base camps, trekking trails and settlements to the nearest airport Lukla. As a part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Tara Air is supporting SPCC to transport non-burnable garbage from Lukla to Kathmandu at free of costs since 2015. The non-burnable garbages are handed over to Blue Waste to Value Recycling Centers in Kathmandu for recycling.
