Gender and Waste Nexus: Experiences from Bhutan, Mongolia and Nepal

Bhutan

Prayer wheels made out of PET bottles on the hiking trail to Taktshang (one of the famous monasteries in Bhutan). Photo by Tina Schoolmeester.

not take a gender perspective. However, in Bhutan’s most recent State of the Environment Report (Bhutan, National Environment Commission [NEC] 2016), the country embraces the idea that long-term climate change strategies should incorporate cross-cutting issues, such as gender and health. Waste context The Government of Bhutan acknowledges that waste is emerging as a major environmental issue (Bhutan, NEC 2016) and is taking several steps to solve its overall increase and ensure that different types of waste are handled adequately. The existing national legislation on waste management is the Waste Prevention and Management Act (2009), which was amended in 2016. Other important waste sector documents include the National Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Strategy (2014), National Environment Protection Act (2007), Water Act (2011) and Environmental Assessment Act (2000).Currently, ISWMisnotbeingfullyimplemented, due to a lack of funding.

recovery to create sustainable waste management systems and protecting the country’s unique natural ecology. Bhutan’s INDC also mentions applying the zero waste concept and sustainable waste management practices, in particular through converting waste into resources and through improving the current waste management system and infrastructure. Bhutan’s waste management, especially its waste collection practices, has improved significantly in recent years. However, not all efforts to improve the situation have been successful, such as a government ban on plastic in 1999, which was never enforced as it proved impossible to implement in shops and markets. With growing urbanization and a more open attitude towards global trade, Bhutan has increased the volume of goods imported into the country, which along with the changing lifestyles and increased consumption of its citizens, has led to an increase in solid waste generation. The rapidly growing number of rural migrants in urban areas, with their rural habits and attitudes, are creating challenges on how best to handle the increasing waste.

According to the ISWM Strategy, Bhutan is aiming to move towards zero waste by maximizing resource

Unsound management of waste is an emerging issue in Bhutan’s largest cities – Thimphu and Phuntsoling

59 Gender and waste nexus