By Janney Kayastha,
When we throw away our garbage, we rarely think about where it goes. But last month, “where it goes” has been my entire world. As someone involved in waste characterization, I’ve had the unique opportunity to get my hands dirty and truly understand the waste problem here in the Kathmandu Valley. From transfer stations to the Banchare Danda landfill, I’ve seen firsthand what our waste is made of, and why that matters more than you might think.
What Exactly is Waste Characterization?
Waste characterization is a deep dive into our collective trash bin. It’s the systematic approach to identify and quantify the types of waste in a waste stream. It’s the process of figuring out the exact composition of waste in a specific area. We’re talking about breaking it down into categories: organic waste, plastics, paper, metals, glass, and so on.
By knowing exactly what’s in our waste, we can stop treating it all the same way. We can move from a simple “collect and dump” model to one that’s smart, efficient, and sustainable. It’s the foundational knowledge that allows us to design effective recycling programs, build the right kind of infrastructure, and ultimately, reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill.
How We Characterized the Waste
For those curious about the process, it’s pretty hands-on. At each transfer station, we followed a specific method to ensure our data was accurate and representative:
- Dumping and Spreading: Waste from the collection trucks was dumped and spread out into a flat, manageable pile.
- Dividing into Squares: We’d then divide this pile into a grid of equal-sized 4 squares.
- Random Sampling: To avoid bias, we used a random method (like a dice roll) to select which squares to sample. This ensured our findings were statistically valid.
- Sorting and Weighing: The real work began here. We’d thoroughly sort the waste from the selected squares into predefined categories: organic, plastic, paper, metal, glass, sanitary, textiles and so on. Each category was weighed, and the data was carefully recorded.
- Analysis: All this data was then compiled to calculate the percentage composition of each type of waste, giving us a clear picture of what’s being thrown away.
Why is it So Important?
Waste characterization is more than just a scientific exercise; it’s a foundational step toward a sustainable future. It’s the basis for understanding the true scale of our waste problem and identifying the most promising solutions. By knowing the composition of our waste, we can design better programs, such as investing in composting facilities if our studies reveal a high percentage of organic waste, or launching targeted recycling campaigns if plastics are abundant. This data also allows governments to set realistic policy and targets for recycling and recovery. Furthermore, by regularly characterizing waste, we can evaluate the effectiveness of waste reduction initiatives and adjust them as needed to ensure we’re making real progress.
My Experience: Inside the System
My work took me to around 12 different transfer stations across the valley, which are the first major stop for waste after it’s collected. It was a fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking look at our waste management system.
The most shocking thing I saw wasn’t the overwhelming amount of garbage, but the state it was in. The core problem, the one that undermines everything, is the lack of segregation at the source. Despite all those awareness campaigns urging people to sort their waste, most households and businesses simply don’t separate their trash.
Here’s where the “dirty truth” comes in: recyclable materials like plastic, paper, and glass are hopelessly mixed with wet, decomposing organic waste, making them useless. Once a clean plastic bottle is contaminated by food scraps, its value sinks rapidly. The effort and cost required to recover it become so high that it’s often not worth it. This single issue is why our recovery rate is so low, even though a large portion of our waste could be recovered.
At the transfer stations, some dedicated workers do their best to sort through the mixed garbage. I watched them pull out organic waste for animal feeding or composting and salvage a small portion of recyclables. The sorters were incredibly busy, and I learned that they were in a constant competition to sort the highest amount of waste. This made for a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. They had very little patience for us while we were trying to do our waste characterization, as our process slowed them down. It was a powerful reminder of how difficult and relentless their job is, often done without proper safety gear. And because of the contamination, a significant amount of what could have been recycled or composted still ends up on a truck heading to the landfill.
The first thing that hit me at the transfer station was the smell. For the first few days, it was so intense that I completely lost my appetite. Then there was the constant feeling of being contaminated; it didn’t just go away when the workday ended. It was an involuntary reaction, feeling of being unclean.
One day, a truck dropped a fresh load of trash, and the workers ran to it. As one of the workers stepped on a bag, it burst, splashing trash all over my back and hand. For a moment, I was frozen. That experience showed me just how tough and risky this job is for these workers every single day. The work at the transfer station was physically and emotionally draining.
After a few days, though, the constant exposure started to feel normal. The smell didn’t bother me as much, and the initial shock wore off. It became a habit, and I got used to it.
The Journey to the Landfill
The visit to Banchare Danda landfill site was a stark and powerful conclusion to this story. Piles of mixed waste stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a sad reminder of what happens when a system is compromised from the very beginning. The waste characterization data we collected confirms this reality: a massive percentage of this landfill material, particularly organics and plastic waste, didn’t have to end up here.
The Path Forward: It Starts with Us
We have both the knowledge and the resources to build a much better waste management system. But the solution isn’t just about new infrastructure; it’s about a fundamental change in our habits. The biggest impact we can make is segregation at the source. If every household and business could commit to separating their organic waste from recyclables, it would lead to a number of benefits. We would be able to boost recycling rates, as clean recyclables are more valuable and easier to process, which helps create a stronger recycling industry. This would also improve composting, since separated organic waste can be easily turned into nutrient-rich soil, reducing the burden on our landfills. Ultimately, a more efficient system helps us build a circular economy, supporting livelihoods in recycling and composting and turning waste into a valuable resource.
Waste characterization is more than a technical task, it reveals the story of how we consume and discard. My journey through the Kathmandu Valley’s waste has shown me both the challenges and the immense potential for a cleaner, more sustainable future. It’s a journey that starts with each of us, by simply taking a moment to separate our trash.