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WEPCO collected 6.5 tonnes of waste daily whereas 0.5 tonnes of waste is managed at household
level. Out of 6.5 tonnes, 4 tonnes of waste are dumped in the municipal container and 2
tonnes of waste are used to produce compost. The remaining 500 Kg of waste, which is plastic
(300 Kg) and metal (200 Kg), are recycled. Thus, each year the activity recycled 912.5 tonnes
of solid waste. In addition, WEPCO also collected 72 tonnes of waste paper per year, of which
70% are recycled. Therefore, the activity was able to manage 962.9 tonnes of waste per annum
which would otherwise go to the landfill sites.
The successful demonstration of biogas production from waste and participation of major
stakeholders such as students, private sector (through green circle) and households resulted
to a daily reduction of 3 tonnes of waste, making WEPCO the lead training and resource centre
for solid waste management. More than 50,000 visitors have visited the demonstration site
since its establishment. 43 eco-clubs at different schools compromising more than 500
students have been established. Likewise, a biogas plant established in Budhanilkantha School
is being used in cooking food for students and staff, and has cut down their dependence on
liquefied petroleum gas significantly.
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WEPCO has also established a cooperative consisting of 496
female members, collected USD 85,954 from microloans and mobilized USD 123,924 benefiting 150
women members.
The activity created jobs: 27 full time staff and 9 part time
staff, including 3 full time and 5 part time experts in solid waste management and biogas
construction. WEPCO generates a monthly average income of USD 3,000 taken from membership
fees; sales from recycling and composting; and renting the training premises. This amount is
used for personnel and other operations.
Prior to using biogas, the Shenchen Monastery, used firewood to
cook food and spent nearly USD 1,000 per month. The firewood was later replaced by liquefied
petroleum gas, diesel and kerosene boilers and biogas, of which the monastery was able to
save 50% of its expenditure. Calculating the amount invested on the biogas plant vis-a-visa
the cost of liquefied petroleum gas, a return of investment on the biogas plant is received
within a span of 9 months. Thus, the benefits exceed the cost.
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Replication of this activity is very easy. Land for composting
and permission from the government to manage the waste are prerequisites for the activity, in
addition to sensitizing local communities to segregate waste at household level. Once these
basic requirements are fulfilled, it is possible to replicate the activity in different
context and
country.
An additional component necessary in successful replication is
the planning for construction of the biogas plant: size should be considered depending on the
amount of waste, purpose of cooking (commercial or household only), and user
expectation.
The biogas model in the WEPCO premises has been seen due to the
large number of visitors that WEPCO receives annually: study tour, training, Eco Clubs, etc.
So far, the biogas plant from solid waste has been replicated in 20 other sites. Furthermore,
WEPCO was able to mobilize participation from 892 women in 30 groups in various parts of the
country.
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