Everest region bans single-use plastic to reduce waste
KATHMANDU: Single-use plastics have been banned in the Everest region to reduce the vast amounts of waste left by trekkers and mountaineers, Nepali authorities said on Wednesday.
In addition to seeing a record number of climbers this year, a government-led cleaning initiative on Everest - the world’s highest mountain - also collected over 10 tonnes of trash.
The new ban in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, home to Mount Everest and several other snowcapped mountains, covers all plastic of less than 30 microns in thickness as well as drinks in plastic bottles, and will be effective from January.
“If we start now, it will help keep our region, the Everest and the mountains clean long term,” local official Ganesh Ghimire told AFP.
The region receives over 50,000 tourists every year, including climbers and trekkers. The local body will work with trekking companies, airlines and the Nepal Mountaineering Association to enforce the ban, though no penalty has yet been decided for violation.
Environmentalists are also concerned that the pollution on Everest is affecting water sources down in the valley. Six years ago, Nepal introduced a USD 4,000 deposit per team of climbers on Everest that would be refunded if each climber brought down at least eight kilos (18 pounds) of waste, but only half of the climbers return with the required amount. Melting glaciers caused by global warming are now exposing bodies and litter.