Food Waste Management in Pokhara Metropolitan City: Challenges, Practices, and Pathways Toward Achieving SDG 12.3

Abstract

Food waste is a large-scale global issue that affects the environment, economy, and society in a myriad of ways. Researchers of this paper wanted to focus on food waste disposal behavior in Pokhara, Nepal. Pokhara is a growing metropolis city as well as a tourist destination. Research consisted of conducting a small-scale quantitative survey about waste disposal habits as well as a literature review. Information collected through the literature research was expanded on through a survey of 200 university students in Pokhara. Findings show that 47% of participants composted their waste and 81.6% were interested in better waste disposal habits and food redistribution. It is concluded that Pokhara Nepal has the chance to ‘leap frog’ steps and move from a linear economy to a circular economy. Recommendations consist of implementing municipal scale composting systems, incentivizing food redistribution, and education campaigns. These recommendations are designed to provide policymakers, local government, NGOs, and businesses with an evidence-based roadmap for enhancing sustainable urban management and directly contributing to the global target of halving food waste by 2030, as mandated by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3.