Cities have long been the heart of economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. According to UN-Habitat, urban areas encompass not just central business districts but also dense residential, commercial, and industrial zones- diverse communities woven together by infrastructure and activity. Merriam-Webster defines a city simply as a place larger and more populated than a town or village. While definitions may vary, one thing is certain: cities are dynamic hubs that reflect both the progress and the problems of modern society.

However, cities today face unprecedented challenges. Rapid urbanization, especially in developing countries, is straining infrastructure and natural ecosystems. One of the most pressing concerns is the surge in population, which directly contributes to environmental degradation— particularly through pollution and waste generation. Much of this population growth is driven by migration from rural to urban areas in search of better opportunities and socioeconomic stability. This has led to unsustainable urbanization, resulting in urban sprawl-haphazard expansions that often lack proper infrastructure, planning, and services. Global data paints a concerning picture.

According to the World Bank, the world produces approximately 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) every year—a figure expected to soar to 3.8 billion tons by 2050.

Nepal, like many developing countries, is grappling with the dual challenges of urban growth and waste management. The country’s population grew from 23 million in 2001 to approximately 30 million today, with urban areas expanding at rates of up to 7% annually. This rapid, often unplanned urbanization has intensified environmental pressures, particularly in waste handling. Not just Kathmandu-which once served as the primary hub for major trade and business many cities across Nepal are now undergoing rapid and unregulated urbanization. For example, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Dhangadhi, and Butwal have experienced significant population influxes in recent years. Key driving factors include internal migration due to better employment prospects, the expansion of educational institutions, proximity to cross-border trade route, and the growth of the real estate and construction sectors. In many of these cities, development has outpaced infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion, inadequate sewage systems, water shortages, and a surge in solid waste generation.

Current estimates suggest that Nepal generates around 4,900 tons of solid waste daily, with plastic accounting for approximately 16% of total municipal waste and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) comprising about 27.24% of this figure. In some municipalities like Baglung, plastic waste accounts for a staggering 25–30% of total waste. Alarmingly, 90% of this plastic is single-use, with only a fraction being recycled.  The growing volume of unmanaged plastic waste underscores the urgent need for a systemic shift toward sustainable waste management and calls for a “Climate Smart City”. 

What makes a city “Climate-Smart”? 

The concept of “climate-smart” cities emerged in response to the merging impacts of climate change on urban areas. As cities contribute over 70% of global CO2 emissions, there is a growing recognition that urban centers must play a central role in climate action. Initially promoted by international organizations such as the World Bank and UN-Habitat, the idea of a climate smart city integrates sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity into urban planning and development. These cities aim to address both climate mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and climate adaptation (coping with climate-related risks) through holistic strategies.  

Core components of a climate-smart city include setting and striving towards net-zero emission targets, adopting circular economy principles to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency and embracing nature-based solutions and digital innovation. A climate-smart city is more than just environmentally conscious—it is a city that actively integrates climate resilience and mitigation strategies into its planning, infrastructure, and governance.  

This is not merely an abstract concept. Climate-smart cities are grounded in practical efforts: shifting to clean energy, improving waste management, enhancing urban greenery, and implementing smart transportation and construction systems. 

Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, part of its commitment under the Paris Agreement, outlines ambitious goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Among the priority sectors, waste management stands out as a critical area for emission reduction. Improving how waste-particularly plastic - is collected, processed, and recycled aligns not only with Nepal’s national strategy but also contributes significantly to global climate targets and sustainable development. 

CREASION and the Climate-Smart Cities Initiative 

Nepal's waste management sector continues to face persistent challenges due to gaps in infrastructure, weak policy enforcement, and limited institutional coordination. Despite these barriers, the informal waste sector plays a critical role in waste recovery and recycling. Recognizing both the challenges and the potential for transformative change, CREASION has been actively involved in strengthening the country’s waste management capacity particularly focusing on plastic waste - through capacity building, advocacy and community engagement.  

In response to this escalating environmental crisis, CREASION, with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), has launched the Climate Smart Cities (CSC) initiative. The project offers a comprehensive, community-driven approach to tackle plastic pollution by enhancing recycling systems, promoting efficient waste recovery, and advancing a sustainable circular economy.

The major objective of the project is to reduce the adverse effects of plastic waste by strengthening the existing recycling systems in Nepal through a circular economy model, targeting PET recovery, waste infrastructure upgrades and community mobilization. 

Building on over a decade of experience in plastic recovery and youth-led environmental action, the CSC initiative targets high-footfall urban areas, especially in Bagmati Province, to implement effective waste management strategies. Plastic recovery remains a central pillar of the CSC project, acknowledging the harmful environmental impacts of unmanaged plastic waste. By promoting sustainable waste practices and creating circular economy models, the initiative aims to significantly reduce plastic pollution and build resilient waste management systems in Nepal’s growing urban centers.