In Kathmandu alone, 900 tonnes of waste are produced DAILY that ends up in the landfill. Whereas, an estimate 70% of the waste that is produced can be recycled. On the other hand, there are over 13,000 waste-entrepreneurs (Khaalisisi friends) who have been working in this industry for over 50 years. The math does not sound right because if there are so many Khaalisisi friends, our landfill shouldn't have been filled with waste as 70% of it can be recycled.
The problem lies in being inefficient. In this digital-age, we still find waste-entrepreneurs (Khaalisisi friends) roaming around alleys to alleys, screaming their lungs-out, asking for recyclable waste. They are wasting a lot of time and energy. IF they can be well organised and rightly connected we can divert at least 50% of the waste (recyclables) that ends up in the unmanaged landfill.
The idea is not to disrupt the existing value chain – i.e. to use Khaalisisi’s own logistics; rather it is to enhance the current system by enhancing the work that Khaalisisi friends already do. This ensures, more recyclables are collected and Khaalisisi friends in the network can increase their pickups; thus earning more revenue, at least 32% monthly increment, and sending less waste in the landfill and building a sustainable recycling culture in the country.
For the first time in 50 years waste entrepreneurs are giving away inefficient techniques to trade waste commodities. Waste-entrepreneurs (khaalisisi friends) are currently under-going training to use Google Maps for efficient navigation, using apps to provide real-time information. Khaalisisi’s customers have access to reports and data about their recycling history, so they can measure and manage their impact. Khaalisisi has also been recycling items like denims to making school bags that were never before recycled in the country.
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