KANCHANPUR: A modern integrated waste management center has come into operation in Shuklaphanta Municipality, marking a significant step forward in sustainable waste processing in the region.
Waste generated in both urban and rural areas is now being collected and transported to the facility, where it is sorted into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable categories.
According to Jayant Bhatta, engineer at the Integrated Waste Management Center, compost is produced from biodegradable waste, while recyclable materials are sold to scrap dealers. Waste that cannot be reused is compacted and sealed in designated landfill cells, which are then covered with soil to minimize environmental impact.
The center, constructed at a cost of Rs. 302.5 million, spans 3.9 hectares and has a processing capacity of six metric tons per day. However, it is currently operating at about half its capacity, processing only two to three metric tons of waste daily.
“This facility is not just a waste collection site—it is also a processing center,” Bhatta explained. “We sort waste collected from the market, recycle what we can, and safely dispose of what we can’t. Minimal waste is stored in landfill cells, which are designed to have no harmful effect on the environment.”
Each morning, garbage collection vehicles operate across Shuklaphanta’s urban and rural areas, bringing waste to the facility for processing. The center currently employs eight sanitation workers and operates ten waste collection vehicles.
The project was implemented with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and constructed by Raman KS JV. Site in-charge Uddhav Singh Saud confirmed that the center has been operational since September, following the completion of construction.
“Every day, we collect waste from the market,” Saud said. “We sort the recyclable materials, while non-recyclable waste is compacted and stored in secure landfill cells.”
This is the first integrated waste management center to be brought into operation in Kanchanpur district. A similar project had been proposed in Bhimdatta Municipality, but it was eventually scrapped due to local opposition and lack of a suitable location. Locals had raised concerns that the waste center would lead to environmental pollution.
In addition to supporting proper waste disposal and keeping the environment clean, the Shuklaphanta center has created local employment opportunities. With its focus on composting and recycling, the center is helping to reduce environmental pollution while generating income at the community level.
Comment