The Gyalsung Environment Management Project is a pioneering Waste Management Initiative dedicated to achieving “Litter-Free and Zero Waste Gyalsung Academies” in Bhutan. The initiatives are aligned with the National Goal of achieving Zero Waste by 2030 and in honour of Fundamental Duties under Article 8 Section 2 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan:

“A Bhutanese citizen shall have the duty to preserve and respect the environment, culture and heritage of the nation.”

Supported by a Nu.15Million grant from Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC), the Project represents a significant shift toward a Circular Economy by practicing the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover. Other innovative measures are also constantly explored and implemented by our Academies. 

Sustainable measures like segregation at source, recycling and up cycling are taught and practiced. With the use of high-tech composting and baling machines, food/organic waste and the recyclable solid waste are given value addition before feeding it to the supply chain of waste management.

With strong objective of bringing about “behaviour and mindset change” of everyone in the Academies and the nearby communities, it is aimed at changing the perception of waste not as a waste per se but as an asset, reiterating Section 175 (73)A of Waste Prevention and Management Regulation, 2016: “Zero Waste refers to a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.”

Prefabricated containers are used as Drop-Off Centers and Collection Sheds to do hygienic waste collection and storage before it is sold off to the waste managers or recycled further. Automatic composting machines are used to compost food and organic waste. Hazardous waste like the sanitary napkins are incinerated and medical waste handed over to the nearby hospitals for autoclaving.

With management and logistical support from the Gyalsung Headquarters, the implementing partners are Gyalsung Infra, NHDCL and other government and private individuals who render technical and advisory services. Gyalsung Academies (Gyalpozhing, Jamtsholing, Khotokha and Pemathang) are currently implementing the Project with dedicated Focal Officers, NCOs and Segregators.