Wonder of Waste (WoW)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Wide School Level Competition

On the occasion of the 53rd World Environment Day (June 5, 2025), Environment Management Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City together with the Partnership for Healthy Cities Project (PHC_Kathmandu) and in coordination with Education Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), is organizing a school-level competition titled "Wonder of Waste." 

This initiative aims to raise awareness among students about waste management, its connection to air pollution, and supports the 2025 World Environment Day theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution."

Event Details: 

Event Name: Wonder of Waste

Organizers: Partnership for Healthy Cities Project – Kathmandu and Kathmandu Metropolitan City 

Event Objective

To engage students from community schools in understanding the importance of proper waste management and its direct link to air pollution. The event encourages students to develop innovative, creative solutions using waste materials to promote cleaner air and reduce plastic use. 

Who can participate?

• Students form community schools under the jurisdiction of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

• Open to all interested students from Grade 6 to Grade 10.

Participation Process

1. School - Level Selection

• Each school will issue an internal notice inviting student participation or may follow its own interim procedure for fair nomination.

• Interested students will submit their crafts or models for a school-level exhibition or selection round.

• Each school shall nominate a minimum of one team and a maximum of two teams, with each team consisting of two student members, to represent the school in the final exhibition. (The final exhibition will not have more than 60 finalists)

2. Final Exhibition

• Finalists from each school will present their entries at the central exhibition organized by the Partnership for Healthy Cities – Kathmandu.

• A panel of judges will evaluate all entries.

3. Recognition

• All school-level finalists will receive certificates of participation.

• The Top 3 entries will be awarded as First, Second, and Third place winners.

Craft Submission Guidelines

Theme: Reducing Air Pollution and Plastic Waste

What to create:

• Artworks, crafts, or models using waste or recycled materials. (See Sample images attached)

• The creation should reflect the theme of air pollution reduction or plastic waste management. 

Examples of Acceptable Materials:

• Plastic bottles, cans, jars, caps

• Newspapers, cardboard, magazines

• Old clothes, fabric scraps, buttons

• Bottle caps, straws, used pens, broken toys, unused stationery

• Broken electronics (safe use)

• Twine, string, discarded packaging 

• Don’t Use: Sharp Glass, Medical and Chemical Waste and Rotten or wet organic wastes

• ETC….

Example Ideas:

• Arts from waste

• Educational and Message Driven Projects including science project

• Plastic Waste Reuse projects such as vertical garden, air purifier (conceptual), Bird Feeders etc

• Household Waste innovations such as color coded bins, eco bricks, tissue rolls, pen holders, flower vases, pots

• Model of a polluted vs. clean city

(Note: These are suggestions. Students are encouraged to explore their own creative ideas. )

We encourage school teachers to guide and support students in developing creative ideas and completing their projects on time, so they can proudly represent their school at the mega exhibition event.

Judging Criteria:

The submitted project will be judged based on the following:

• Relevance to Theme – How well does the project address pollution or waste?

• Creativity & Innovation – Is the concept original and inventive?

• Use of Waste Materials – Are reused items central to the creation?

• Presentation – How clearly and confidently do you explain your project?

Event Timelines:

Support and Coordination

The organizing team shall make a brief visit to each school and together with the BABA club students will share about the event. The school and participating students shall be responsible for collecting props and materials required for their concept. The students shall use waste materials or discarded items as far as possible. We encourage schools to support students with the necessary materials and logistics to create their crafts, and to facilitate their participation in and attendance at the exhibition event.

Logistical support for the final exhibition, including display setup and light refreshments, will be managed by the organizing team.

Awards and Prizes:

Conclusion

'Wonder of Waste' aims to ignite a sense of environmental responsibility and innovation among young minds. By involving students in meaningful activities, we hope to inspire long-term behavioral changes that contribute to a cleaner, healthier Kathmandu.

Contact /Event Coordinator Info:

Name: Rashmi Sedain

Organization: PHC Project _ Kathmandu, Project Coordinator (National Federation of Youth NGO Nepal)

Phone: 9849260650 (Whatsapp and Viber)

Email: sedainrashmi@gmail.com