Chhimi Dema  

In an effort to continue the country’s effort in plastic waste management, Clean Bhutan secured a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation this year to create a circular economy of plastic waste.

The plastic recycling project called Druk Larzo Thimphu aims to create awareness of waste segregation and proper disposal, and enhance the knowledge and capacities of the informal waste collectors, according to a press release from The Coca-Cola Foundation.

The project also aims to create entrepreneurship or job opportunities for sustainable livelihood for workers or communities through plastic waste-recycling.




Clean Bhutan’s executive director, Nedup Tshering, said that the project aims to sensitise all Bhutanese about behavioural changes and habits to manage waste.

“There is value in waste, and with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, we want to empower our youth to become entrepreneurs and establish recycling as an income-generating opportunity,” he said.

Project Druk Larzo Thimphu aims to recycle 25,000kg of plastic waste in a year, and help 2,500 households through awareness initiatives.

The press release states that the project will aid in generating employment opportunities for women and the youth, particularly at waste collection centres.




According to the National Statistics Bureau’s 2020 survey, plastic waste comprises 17.1 of the total waste in Bhutan, the second highest waste generated after food waste.

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s president, Saadia Madsbjerg, said that the project would help strengthen the recycling sector in Bhutan and help in recycling packaging waste.

The foundation is a global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. It has awarded more than USD 1.4 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives globally.