Bin Culture, Zero Waste and Circular Economy adoption by the Students in Secondary Schools in Nepal

Waste generation is a critical issue throughout the world. Poorly managed waste contaminates the soil, water, and environment. The management of waste depends on many factors, namely, the cultural heritage, education and knowledge, governance, technology, availability of materials, socio-economic condition and many other factors. The results of poor waste management leads to clogging drains and causing flood and landslide, transmit diseases via breeding of vectors, increasing respiratory problems through airborne particles from burning of waste. It also harms animals that consume waste unknowingly. Generation of microplastics in the ocean and waterbodies are the results of indiscriminate waste littering. Economic development is also affected through diminished tourism due to poor waste management. Improper management of waste from decades of economic growth requires urgent action at all levels of society while the action for changing the behaviour pattern of the next generation citizens is one of the most important aspects. The article presents descriptive research on case studies with detail of the implementation of a mission, "Catch Them Young: Zero Waste & Circular Economy in Campus" (CTY:ZW&CEC) that helps in changing the mindsets of the school children with respect to handling wastes in schools and at home. The mission has been implemented in thirteen schools in Nepal which started in the week of the "World Environment Day 2025" during the 1 st week in June 2025. The article presents the way the implementation starts, system established, continued and getting the benefits. This is the first formal international initiative ever on circular economy practices in the schools in Nepal. The results of the study will encourage the students in the schools and the administration not only in Nepal but in other countries too.