Nagar Mitra: Journey to create a Green, Legal, Responsible and Circular PET Supply Chain in Nepal
The status of PET supply chain in Nepal in 2014

17 tons of PET waste was generated in Kathmandu every day.

Of the 15,000+ waste workers, majority were in employed informally, less than 15% waste workers were organised.

The waste workers worked in very hazardous conditions without any protective equipment or social security.

15% of total waste workers in the sector were children.

There was a lot of Social Stigma and ‘non-touchable’ status of waste workers in the society.

Due to lack of recycling Industry in Nepal, almost all of the PET collected was being smuggled into India
Nagar Mitra: How it came about
PET supply chain was largely Informal, Illegal and Linear in 2014. Nagar Mitra Program was born as a joint collaboration to solve these problems.
Collaborating Partners
Original Long Term Goals of Nagar Mitra Program
  1. Collecting and Increasing % of Nepal’s PET Waste Recycling
  2. Making PET waste movement across the supply Chain Legal and Responsible (No smuggling, No child labor)
  3. Improving the income, lifestyle, working conditions and of waste workers
  4. Creating Green Jobs for Women
  5. Closing the PET recycling channels inside Nepal
  6. Creating a self-sustainable Social Business that will continue these goals in the long run.
Nagar Mitra Featured
Working Model of Nagar Mitra
Nagar Mitra Program was started in Nepal at a time when no businesses were talking about structural reform in the waste sector. Drawing from the Nagar Mitra Experience in Nepal, The Coca-Cola Company announced its 'World Without Waste' commitment 4 years later.
  • Making packaging 100% recyclable by 2025
  • Using 50% recycled material in bottles and cans by 2030
Journey Towards a Circular PET Economy in Nepal

2014 Jan Nagar Mitra Program started, with its premises in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu with 50 ton per month capacity

2015 March First ever consignment of PET sent legally to India from Nepal

2015 April Earthquake in Nepal

2015 September India Border Blockade, resulting in severe fuel Crisis

2016 April Bailed PET waste import banned by India

2016 Nov Demonetization of Indian Currency affecting the PET supply Chain

2017 August First phase of collaboration between partners ended, GIZ support phased out

2017 September Second phase of Collaboration started between Coca-Cola Foundation and HCI

2017 December Program moved to a new location with 120 ton capacity in Budhanilkantha Municipality

2018 March Court case filed against the PET work of Nagar Mitra by Local Community in Budhanilkantha halting its operations

2018 December Nagar Mitra won the Court case

2018 Indian Recycling Partner convinced to establish PET Flake Plant in Nepal

2019 Third phase of collaboration started between Coca-Cola foundation and HCI

2019 Feb Avni Ventures was established; HCI handed over its PET recycling operations to Avni Ventures

2019 July Mandatory VAT imposed for waste businesses at all levels by Nepal Government, leading to opposition and protests from waste entrepreneurs

2019 October PET Flake import Banned by India

2019 Mandatory VAT for waste business lifted by Nepal Government

2020 COVID-19 First Wave and lockdowns hit the country, borders sealed, PET market went to a standstill

2020 Nagar Mitra/Avni Ventures revived the PET supply chain in Kathmandu by supporting the waste entrepreneurs

2021 Avni Ventures network PET collection capacity becomes 150 Tons/month

2021 April COVID Second wave hits, PET market highly disrupted, yet kept going through Avni Ventures Network

2021 June 1,005 tons of PET baled in the past 12 months by Avni Ventures Network

Original Goals Vs. Impact Achieved
Original Goal
Impact Achieved
Collecting and Increasing % of Nepal’s PET Waste Recycling
37% of total PET generated by Coca-Cola sent into recycling stream
Making PET waste movement across the supply Chain Legal and Responsible (No smuggling, No child labor)
  • 16 % of Total Supply Chain made Legal
  • No Child Labour
  • 400+ Waste Workers - Directly employed in Avni Network
Improving the income, lifestyle, working conditions and of waste workers
  • Stable Fair income
  • Vaccination, Insurance, PPE
  • Better Housing
  • Safe Working Conditions
Creating Green Jobs for women
Green Jobs - Supported 25 Women Entrepreneurs and employed 54 Female Workers
Closing the PET recycling channels inside Nepal
Recycling partner Ganesha Ecosphere brought to Nepal
Creating a self-sustainable Social Business that will carry these works
Created Avni Ventures
Circular Economy Model & Metrics
Monthly Capacity of AVNI
16%
Of total PET generation of Nepal
PET Recycled
2,170 Tons
Till June 2021
1,005 Tons
In the past year
Nagar Mitra Programs
Implemented By
Supported By
The transformation of PET Supply Chain was possible only because of undying dedication of Nagar Mitra and continued and unwavering support from Coca-Cola and other partners.