Towards a Sustainable Circular Economy (SCE) for Nepal: Current Realities and Perspectives

Gavin Melles (), Suresh Gautam and Richan Shrestha
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Gavin Melles: Faculty of Architecture and Industrial Design, Swinburne University, Victoria 3124, Australia
Suresh Gautam: School of Education, Kathmandu University, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal
Richan Shrestha: School of Education, Kathmandu University, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal

Challenges, 2025, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Nepal, like its South Asian neighbours, is exploring Circular Economy (CE) as a pathway to Green Economy and Net Zero commitments. Current studies focus primarily on sector-specific 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) waste management strategies. However, these approaches overlook the broader sustainability transformation implied by a Sustainable Circular Economy (SCE). This study examines whether a locally relevant SCE model is feasible for Nepal. We conducted thematic analysis of interviews with thirteen representatives from nine CE organizations, supplemented by a literature review. Our findings reveal that while most SCE elements exist individually in Nepal’s context, integration into a comprehensive socially inclusive framework remains underdeveloped. We propose a Nepal-specific SCE framework that could challenge conventional industrial development trajectories focused solely on growth. The authors believe that this Nepal case study has valuable lessons for other developing countries pursuing CE as a strategy, as it suggests that a wider SCE scope is necessary to achieve inclusive development.

Keywords: circular economy; Nepal; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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