Though country has good number of legal instruments to manage solid wastes in urban centers, managing waste
is getting harder day by day because of poor implementation status. With the rapid urbanization and changing
lifestyle, the quantity of solid waste to be managed is alarmingly elevating in Kathmandu. The lack of adequate
land for safe disposal is forcing to search for other alternative methods for sustainable solid waste management.
Recycling of wastes saves the scarce landfi ll space as well as limited resources, and thus saves the environment.
Most of Kathmandu’s waste is recyclable (organic as well as inorganic). Recyclable inorganic waste has been
increased with the pace of changing lifestyle and urbanization; 29.16% of total waste in 2009 in Kathmandu
Metropolis. Recycling of inorganic solid wastes is rampant; mainly by communities and private sectors through
scrap dealers. The recyclable materials recovered from the waste are either recycled (paper and plastic) within the