This year globally, people/organizations are celebrating June with this year's World Environment Day theme, i.e., Ending Plastic Pollution. Various parallel events and networks are working to amplify the message and theme of the day to the public. 

But are we truly ready to challenge the theme? How exactly are we going to end plastic pollution? 

Understanding the global and local dimensions of plastic pollution is essential before considering solutions. Over recent decades, waste management has become a growing challenge, not just in expanding urban centers but also in rural areas. Plastics have infiltrated nearly every aspect of our daily lives, replacing traditional materials in many ways. However, a major issue is that not all plastics are recyclable. The volume we consume every day—even every minute—is staggering and presents a serious management crisis. Consequently, much of this waste ends up in landfills, open areas, rivers, and forests—essentially everywhere. It has even reached the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, symbolizing just how far-reaching and pervasive the problem has become. As the global plastic crisis intensifies, the call for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent.  

Waste management predominantly plastic waste in Nepal is also becoming a growing concern. Not that there is no effort made. All tiers of government are putting efforts into it but not very integrated and far-fetched. The country’s second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) sets specific goals related to waste, and the Waste Management National Policy 2079 seeks to advance sustainable methods by boosting recycling efforts and promoting waste-to-energy solutions to reduce landfill dependency by 2030. 

At CREASION, we've been actively engaged in addressing this issue. Upon learning this year's theme, we felt compelled to pause, reflect, and engage in conversation with our fellow colleagues who are equally committed to this cause. What does the theme mean to them? What are their thoughts and understanding? 

Let’s hear from some of our team members at CREASION: 

Keshab Adhikari, Finance Officer, says, “Minimize their usage of plastic by opting for reusable bags, bottles, and containers.” 

Mallika Khatri, Admin Assistant, states, “Ending plastic pollution, to me, means protecting the places we love, from the rivers and forests to the streets in our own neighborhoods. It’s about making sure that the plastic we use for just a few minutes doesn’t end up polluting our planet for hundreds of years.” 

She further adds “It means changing the way we live, not perfectly, but consciously. Choosing reusable over disposable.” 

Similarly, Salina Joshi, Environment Officer, says “For me, it means ending the mismanagement of plastic and its proper management.” 

Suvekchhya Tuladhar, Program Development Officer, mentions “Ending plastic pollution is all about shared responsibility among producers, consumers, and those managing the plastic waste. Producers must adopt sustainable practices such as extended producer responsibility, plastic credits, and eco-friendly packaging design. Consumers need to make behavioral changes, reducing single-use plastics, and adopting a sustainability mindset. Waste managers - strengthen collection systems, promote recycling/ upcycling, integrate innovative technologies to close the loop.” 

Jyotsana Thapa, HR and Operations Manager, says, “In my view, it is about making a commitment to reducing and reusing plastic usage, replacing plastic with suitable alternatives, and proper waste management for eliminating plastic pollution.” 

The perspectives highlight a shared understanding that ending plastic pollution requires both individual action and systemic change. There is a strong emphasis on reducing reliance on single-use plastics by choosing reusable alternatives and adopting more conscious lifestyles. At the same time, effective solutions must involve proper waste management and the elimination of plastic mismanagement. A broader view also calls for a collaborative effort among producers, consumers, and waste handlers—where producers adopt sustainable practices, consumers shift behaviors toward sustainability, and waste systems are strengthened through innovation and improved infrastructure. Together, these views reflect a holistic and inclusive approach to tackling plastic pollution. 

CREASION has been in this marathon of circular economy through recycling and upcycling for quite a while, specifically post 2015 Gorkha earthquake. At CREASION, we believe that the answer lies not just in managing waste—but in fundamentally rethinking how we use resources. That’s where the circular economy comes in. The above statement from the team also clarifies that. 

As mentioned above, a circular economy is more than just recycling—it's about creating a closed-loop system where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting their maximum value before recovery and regeneration. CREASION is working to close the loop by ensuring that plastic waste doesn’t just get collected, but is transformed, reused, and reintegrated into the system sustainably. 

It all starts at ground level. We collaborate with local waste workers, communities, and youth to facilitate the collection and proper segregation of plastic waste. This step is crucial in preventing recyclables from ending up in landfills or polluting natural ecosystems. By strengthening local capacity, we ensure that waste is managed at the source. 

The next step is transformation. Through recycling and upcycling, we give new life to collected plastic. By turning plastic into raw materials for industry, we extend the life cycle of materials that would otherwise be discarded. This not only reduces environmental impact but also adds economic value. 

A key pillar of our approach is the empowerment of waste workers. By formalizing their roles and ensuring Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) balance, we foster dignity, stability, and growth for individuals who are essential to the circular system. Supporting them isn’t just ethical—it’s foundational to sustainable progress. 

Behavioral change plays a critical role in driving circular practices. Through awareness campaigns and school-based programs, we educate communities about responsible consumption and the importance of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Our aim is to build a generation that views waste not as a problem, but as a resource. 

To scale impact, we partner with businesses and municipalities to build robust systems that support a closed-loop economy. These collaborations help generate market demand for recycled materials, incentivizing innovation and creating more sustainable supply chains. 

In essence, closing the loop means transforming our linear "take-make-waste" model into one where nothing goes to waste. It’s about redesigning our relationship with plastic—from a throwaway culture to one rooted in responsibility, innovation, and circularity. 

At CREASION, we’re not just talking about solutions—we’re acting on them. On this World Environment Day, as the world rallies to #BeatPlasticPollution, we’re closing the loop with urgency, innovation, and community—because the planet can’t wait, and neither can we.