In a powerful stride toward sustainable waste solutions, the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD), through the PLEASE Project, is empowering women in Kirtipur Municipality to take charge of plastic waste at the source.

As part of this initiative, 2,450 plastic waste collection pouches were distributed to 99 women’s groups across Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Kirtipur. The goal: to promote household-level segregation of plastic waste and foster long-term behavioral change around plastic use and disposal.

The initiative was launched with extensive orientation sessions, where participants were educated on the environmental and health impacts of plastic consumption and the benefits of switching to sustainable alternatives. Women learned practical, actionable steps to safely segregate plastic waste in their homes—preventing the harmful practices of open dumping and burning.

With a community-driven distribution model, the project enhanced local ownership and capacity for managing plastic waste. Once collected, the plastic waste is fed into a broader waste management system with the support of private stakeholders, ensuring maximum recycling and upcycling potential.

What sets this initiative apart is its circular economy approach. Low-value plastics are not discarded but are instead transformed by women entrepreneurs into furniture and decorative items, proving that even the most difficult-to-recycle materials can be given new life and value.

This women-led initiative not only reduces landfill pressure in Kirtipur but also champions public health, social equity, and environmental sustainability—demonstrating how grassroots action can drive systemic change.