Opportunities for Organic Waste Valorization to Promote a Circular Economy in Nepalese Municipalities

Authors

  • Dhundi Raj Pathak Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), Kathmandu, Nepal. Engineering Study and Research Center, Kathmandu, Nepal Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4488-1519
  • Biplav Acharya Engineering Study & Research Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal Author
  • Naman Gurung Engineering Study & Research Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64862/ajeg.2025.2sp.72.196

Keywords:

Organic waste, Municipal waste management, Biogas, Circular economy

Abstract

Nepal generates high organic waste volumes, requiring circular solutions. This paper presents a multi-scale framework integrating household composting, community co-composting, and large-scale CBG plants. Case studies show effective waste reduction, quality compost production, and viable biogas generation. The approach enhances resource recovery and supports SDG goals. Policy priorities include standards, subsidies, segregation, capacity building, and PPP-driven infrastructure.

Author Biography

  • Dhundi Raj Pathak, Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), Kathmandu, Nepal. Engineering Study and Research Center, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Dr. Dhundi Raj Pathak is the founding director of the Engineering Study and Research Centre, Nepal, and currently serves as the President of the Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), a scientific research organization based in Nepal. He is also a visiting faculty member at Tribhuvan University. Dr. Pathak holds a Ph.D. in geoenvironmental engineering from Japan. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2001 and his Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering in 2005, both from Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University. Dr. Pathak served as an executive member of the Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS) from 2023 to 2025 and currently holds the position of First Vice President for the 2025–2027 term. He has been actively engaged in research and development projects focused on integrated solid waste management (ISWM), and currently serves as a solid waste management (SWM) expert with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He has also worked with the World Bank and other development and government agencies on various geoenvironmental engineering and waste management initiatives. In addition to his work in waste management, Dr. Pathak contributes as a geotechnical engineer to numerous infrastructure projects. Notably, he played a key role in drafting the Geotechnical Guidelines for Bridge Foundations for the Local Road Bridge Support Unit under the Government of Nepal. He has also served as an external expert, reviewing research and design reports in the areas of geotechnical engineering and integrated waste management. He was appointed as a technical expert member for the Integrated Solid Waste Management Project of the Kathmandu Valley by the Government of Nepal. Dr. Pathak is the recipient of the Nepal Bidhya Bhusan Award Class-A, the highest academic honor awarded by the Government of Nepal, and the Nepal Bidhya Bhusan Award Class-B for graduating top of his class in the Master’s program. In recognition of his significant contributions to the geotechnical society, he was honored with the President’s Award by NGS in 2024. He has also received several fellowships and research grants, and actively participates in international conferences as a member of scientific and organizing committees, including GeoMandu and GeoAsia8. He serves as the editor of the Proceedings of GeoMandu and has published extensively in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals. He is also a regular reviewer for various journals in environmental and geotechnical engineering.

References

Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC). (2024). Environment and social impact assessment of large biogas plant at Fossil Fuel Solution. AEPC, 112 p. Available at: https://www.aepc.gov.np/doc/environmental-and-social-impact-assessment-of-biogas-to-bio-cng-of-fossil-fuel-solution-pvt-ltd

Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2011). Towards sustainable municipal organic waste management in South Asia: A guidebook for policymakers and practitioners. Asian Development Bank, 75 p. Available at: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29082/sustainable-waste-management-south-asia.pdf

Cheng, S., Lohani, S. P., Rajbhandari, U. S., Shrestha, P., Shrees, S., Bhandari, R., and Jeuland, M. (2024). Sustainability of large-scale commercial biogas plants in Nepal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 139777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139777

Pathak, D. R. (2024). 40 years of waste management in Nepal: Where we stand, what we professed but did not implement, and what we can learn from others? Souvenir. CNI Publication.

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Published

2025-11-27

Issue

Vol. 2 No. Sp Issue (2025): Extended Abstract Volume of the ARC-15 of IAEG, Asian Journal of Engineering Geology

Section

ARC15 Extended Abstract

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nepal Society of Engineering Geology (NSEG)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Opportunities for Organic Waste Valorization to Promote a Circular Economy in Nepalese Municipalities. (2025). Asian Journal of Engineering Geology, 2(Sp Issue), 155-156. https://doi.org/10.64862/ajeg.2025.2sp.72.196

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