This project is part of a larger mission of The Green Institute and Eco-revive research and innovation, to drive community-based solutions for sustainability. It embodies the institute's ethos of empowering individuals to create tangible environmental and social impact, aligning with its vision to nurture innovative approaches for a greener, more equitable future.
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Mission of the project Green Gold
Mission of the project Green Gold
Providing Tailored sustainability solutions to urban and rural tenant solid waste problem, offering a replicable model for engaging community people effectively.
Introduction
Introduction
In Jumla, a remote district in Nepal, tenants face unique challenges in waste management due to limited space, high mobility, and lack of resources. A pilot study conducted in a rental community revealed that 70% of households discarded kitchen waste unsustainably, contributing to local pollution. Composting initiatives, introduced as a solution, failed due to space constraints, odor issues, and inconsistent participation and not so usage for the tenant due to no available land. Learning from these setbacks, the project "Green Gold" was introduced, shifting its focus to bioenzyme production which is a low-cost, space-efficient method that transforms kitchen waste into eco-friendly cleaning products. This approach aligns with SDG 3( Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Project Green Gold is an initiative dedicated to empowering rural and urban tenants in Nepal by training them to turn organic waste into bioenzyme, an eco-friendly alternative with versatile uses like cleaning and hygiene. By addressing waste management challenges and providing sustainable solutions, the project transforms waste into wealth while encouraging environmental stewardship and community empowerment.
Bio-enzyme, also known as eco-enzyme is a fermented solution made from kitchen waste, sugar, and water, offering an eco-friendly alternative for cleaning, gardening, and personal care. To prepare, three part kitchen waste, one part sugar, and ten parts water is mixed in a container, leaving one-third space for air. The mixture is Sealed and fermented for three months, stirring occasionally. The resulting solution can be used as a natural cleaner, fertilizer, pesticide, or even for personal care like hair washing.
Methodology
Pilot Initiative
Initial composting programs highlighted the difficulties tenants faced due to space constraints, odor issues, and inconsistent participation.
2. Introduction of Bioenzymes
2. Introduction of Bioenzymes
Bioenzymes, which is a liquid obtained by keeping or fermenting fuit peels for 2 months, produced from kitchen waste such as citrus peels, were introduced as a simpler and more practical alternative.
3. Community Engagement and Training
Hands-on training sessions were organized to teach tenants how to create bioenzymes and use them as multipurpose cleaning agents.
4. Pilot Implementation
Selected 8 tenant households for a 4-month pilot study.
Provided basic tools and resources: airtight containers, sugar, citrus peels, and guidelines for maintaining fermentation conditions.
5. Monitoring and Feedback
Conducted biweekly follow-ups to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure proper fermentation.
Collected qualitative feedback from tenants to understand usage patterns and motivations.
6. Quantitative Data Collection
Measured the amount of organic waste diverted from disposal.
Recorded the volume of bioenzymes produced and tracked their applications (e.g., cleaning, Toilet cleaner, hand wash.
7. Impact Assessment
Conducted surveys to assess tenant satisfaction and adoption rates.
Analyzed changes in waste management practices and reductions in waste reaching the river nearby.
Measured cost savings from using bioenzymes in household cleaning product.
This methodology ensures the replicability of results while addressing tenant-specific constraints, making bioenzyme production a sustainable and adaptable waste management solution.
Outcome and Implications
Outcomes:
Adoption of Bioenzymes: Over 90% of the tenant households in Jumla participating in the pilot successfully adopted bioenzyme production, creating an average of 20 liters per household during the study period in 2 months.
Waste Reduction: Approximately 500 kg of organic waste were diverted from landfills over 4 months, reducing environmental pollution along the Jugadah River.
Empowerment and Ownership: Tenants reported a 75% increase in their sense of ownership and contribution to environmental sustainability due to the direct utility of the bioenzymes for cleaning and other purposes.
Economic Impact: Many tenants reduced household expenses on cleaning supplies by up to 40%.
Implications:
Scalability: The success of this initiative in Jumla demonstrates its potential for replication in other rural and urban areas where tenants face similar challenges of land access and waste management.
Policy Integration: This model aligns with SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 3 (good health and well-being) and can serve as a template for government-backed rural waste management programs.
Behavioral Change: The shift from passive waste disposal to active waste repurposing highlights the importance of designing community interventions that fit socio-economic realities.
Environmental Impact: By reducing landfill contributions and providing eco-friendly alternatives to chemical cleaners, this initiative supports long-term environmental health and sustainability.
This pilot study shows the need to innovate beyond traditional solutions, tailoring approaches to the lived realities of target groups for sustainable development outcomes. A lesson could be learned through this project: “It’s not enough to teach. Follow up, adapt, and find alternatives. "Sometimes, the right solution isn’t about starting over, it’s about finding what fits.” What began as a composting project evolved into a bioenzyme initiative, showing that sometimes, the path to progress is not linear, but each step forward is part of the journey.
Project Timeline
August 14, 2024 - Project Green Gold Formation
Fundraising & Team Formation
Initial meetings held with tenants to introduce the project and its goals after the failure of initial composting initiative which was carried out in dec 2023.
Aug-Sep Community Engagement & Training
Selection of Households
Training Sessions
Resource Distribution
September - October 2024
Monitoring: Biweekly follow-ups with participating households to ensure proper fermentation, troubleshoot issues, and maintain engagement.
- November - December 2024 - Monitoring & Feedback
Biweekly Monitoring: Continued biweekly check-ins to track fermentation progress and address challenges, such as space constraints, odor, and tenant participation.
Qualitative Feedback: Collected insights from tenants on usage patterns, difficulties, and perceived benefits of the ecoenzymes.
December 2024 - Quantitative Data Collection & Impact Assessment
Tracked the amount of organic waste diverted from traditional disposal methods.
Bioenzyme Production: Recorded the volume of bioenzyme produced and monitored their applications (e.g., toilet cleaner, hand wash, general cleaning).
Tenant Satisfaction Survey: Conducted surveys to assess tenant satisfaction, adoption rates, and feedback on the product’s effectiveness.
Environmental Impact: Analyzed changes in waste management practices.
Cost Savings
Questions?
Questions?
Contact Sushmita.paudel.sp@gmail.com to get more information on the project
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