From Concern to Commitment: Keeping Our Environment Clean
Have we ever truly considered how plastic pollution is damaging our environment by polluting land, water and air? According to The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global plastic production reached 460 million tons in 2024, nearly doubling from 234 million tons in 2000. Plastic production and use is projected to reach 736 million tons by 2040, up 70% from 435 tons in 2020. This increase is expected to be most rapid in emerging economies across Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Environmental and Atmospheric Effects
Plastic pollution is a global crisis now. In oceans, it threatens marine life such as fish, seabirds and other species. On land, it clogs drainage systems and worsens urban flooding. Since plastic is non-biodegradable, it remains in the environment for centuries, gradually breaking down microplastics—tiny particles that infiltrate ecosystems, harm wildlife and even enter the human food chain.
Effective handling of plastic bottles and non-degradable plastics is crucial for minimizing pollution and safeguarding the environment. Plastic pollution refers to the buildup of plastic materials—such as bottles, bags and microplastics—in the environment, which harms wildlife, disrupts natural ecosystems and poses risks to human health. This pollution occurs when plastic waste is mismanaged and finds its way into waterways, land and even the atmosphere.
When plastic waste is not disposed of correctly, it gathers in natural environments and takes a long time to degrade, eventually forming microplastics. These small fragments contaminate soil and water, endangering wildlife and becoming part of the food chain. Sea creatures often confuse plastic with food, which can cause injuries, starvation or even death. Moreover, burning plastic emits harmful gases that pollute the air and accelerate climate change. Because plastic is so durable, it lingers in ecosystems for centuries, posing serious risks to biodiversity and human well-being.
A Shared Responsibility
Our environment—air, water, soil and biodiversity— supports our life. It provides the air we breathe, the food we eat and the space we live in. Maintaining a clean environment, therefore, is crucial for our well-being, development and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, in recent years, human actions have significantly contributed to rising pollution levels, growing waste and the decline of biodiversity. In such a situation, maintaining a clean environment is not just the responsibility of the government — it requires active participation of every citizen. While government laws and policies are essential, they cannot succeed without public awareness and cooperation.
Across the country, local governments, NGOs and INGOs are actively working on waste management. However, there have not been much improvements in public habits. Many people still throw plastic waste on the streets, emit toxic smoke from vehicles, and dump garbage into drains. This highlights a serious gap between policy and practice. Without behavioral change, regulations alone cannot create a clean and sustainable environment.
Beat Plastic Pollution: A Call to Action
World Environment Day, which is celebrated every year on June 5, reminds us of our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet. It helps raise global awareness about environmental issues and encourages action to protect the planet. The celebration highlights the significance of sustainable living and the responsible management of natural resources to secure a healthier future for generations to come. It offers an annual chance for individuals to consider the effects of their behavior on the environment and to pledge to adopt eco-friendly habits, like minimizing plastic consumption, planting trees and saving water. Established by the United Nations in 1972 during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, the World Environment Day has become the UN’s principal platform for environmental outreach. The theme for 2025 World Environment Day is “Beat Plastic Pollution”, focusing on global efforts to eliminate plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.
Community Collaboration Matters
Collective efforts amplify impact. Whether it is cleaning a riverbank, separating waste or educating others, working together produces stronger results. For example, a group working together to clean a riverbank can remove more litter in one day than individuals working alone. Similarly, community-wide recycling initiatives reduce landfill waste more efficiently than scattered individual actions.
In Nepal, youth-led initiatives like “Clean Up Nepal” and community-led river clean-up efforts in Kathmandu have helped instill a sense of collective ownership. Such initiatives influence policy, shape public opinion and build momentum. Mass participation spreads environmental awareness more effectively. Campaigns like Earth Hour or World Environment Day motivate millions globally to adopt eco-conscious habits like reducing electricity use, minimizing plastic waste or conserving water. When many people adopt sustainable behaviors, it creates social pressure and a shift in norms. Recycling, avoiding single-use plastic, or supporting eco-friendly products become shared community values.
Innovative Solutions in Nepal
Tools like the Safa Nepal app, developed by Clean Up Nepal, are revolutionizing environmental governance through a multifaceted approach that combines technology, community engagement and data-driven strategies. Safa Nepal provides a user-friendly platform for individuals to report waste-related problems, such as illegal dumping and burning, directly from their mobile devices. This real-time reporting mechanism enables local authorities to promptly address environmental concerns. This fosters a collaborative effort between people and municipal bodies. The app’s inclusive approach ensures that community voices are heard and their concerns are addressed promptly, leading to more effective and responsive environmental governance.
Similarly, Clean up Nepal’s “Zero Waste at School” program addresses environmental issues by integrating education, infrastructure and community involvement. It has fostered behavior change through digital learning, infrastructure development and community engagement, thereby helping cultivate a culture of sustainability among students and families.
Still, the most crucial step remains reducing plastic production itself. While managing waste is vital, solving the root cause is equally important.
It begins with us
The environment is directly linked to our existence. While government plans, policies, and programs are important, our personal actions and responsibilities matter even more.
A clean environment begins at home, in our neighborhood, schools and workplaces. A culture of cleanliness doesn’t happen overnight. But through repeated, visible, and united efforts, societies can shift attitudes, habits and systems—making cleanliness a natural, expected and celebrated part of daily life. When citizens actively engage, it signals governments to invest more in sanitation infrastructure—like more dustbins, recycling centers or public toilets. This support strengthens the ecosystem for a cleaner culture. Collective actions often come with educational components, like training on composting, waste sorting or the dangers of plastic. As more people get informed, their behavior aligns with cleanliness goals.
When communities embrace cleanliness, it develops peer pressure. No one wants to be the person who litters a clean space. This social accountability helps build pride in one’s surroundings. Visible collective efforts—like schools cleaning their premises or neighborhoods organizing sanitation days—inspire others to follow. Repetition of such acts gradually embeds cleanliness into daily habits.
Uniting for the planet
Our planet is more than a place to live—it is a legacy we pass on. On this World Environment Day, let’s renew our commitment to protect nature. Every tree we plant, every plastic bottle we refuse and every drop of water we save contributes to meaningful change.
The time to act is now. Environmental challenges are vast and interconnected. However, collective action brings strength in numbers, builds momentum for change and transforms individual efforts into powerful movements. Solidarity in action plays a crucial role in addressing environmental issues by uniting individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to work toward a common goal of protecting and sustaining the environment. Let World Environment Day be more than just a date, it should serve as a launchpad for continuous learning, responsibility and sustained action. Together, we can turn awareness into action, embrace responsibility and take concrete action.
Kabi Adhikari