Along the Balkhu River in Kathmandu, a modest yet powerful innovation in waste management is making waves: TrashBoom. Introduced in Nepal by the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) through the PLEASE Project, this floating barrier is not just capturing waste—it’s transforming how we protect both our rivers and the people working to keep them clean.

Traditionally, retrieving waste from drainage canals meant stepping into polluted, fast-moving waters—exposing workers to injury, disease, and environmental hazards. Now, with the TrashBoom strategically intercepting waste at a single collection point, the process is safer, faster, and far more efficient. But infrastructure alone is not enough. At the core of this intervention lies a deeper commitment: ensuring the safety and dignity of waste workers. That’s why CIUD is also prioritizing the use of protective gear—from gloves and boots to masks and safety suits. Through occupational health and safety training on the safety gear to distribution, CIUD are fostering a culture where safety is the standard, not a privilege. CIUD continues to protect those who protect our cities, because resilience begins with respect, and safety is every worker’s right.