Litter on the Everest Base Camp trail is far less visible than it was 20 years ago, but the waste problem hasn't gone away. In spring 2026 the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) removed 90,329 kg of waste from Everest, 80,579 kg of it from the base camp area. The Khumbu municipality has banned plastic drink bottles since 2020, and climbers must carry their own human waste down in bags. As a trekker, refill your bottle instead of buying plastic, carry your batteries and wrappers home, and pick up a Carry Me Back bag in Namche to take a kilo of waste down to Lukla.
- Spring 2026 haul90,329 kg (SPCC)
- From base camp area80,579 kg
- Plastic bottlesBanned in Khumbu since 2020
- Human wasteClimbers carry it down in bags
- Refill waterInstead of buying plastic
- Carry Me BackAbout 1 kg from Namche to Lukla
Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, beckons thousands of climbers and adventure enthusiasts to its slopes each year. For many people the walk to Everest Base Camp (EBC) feels like a pilgrimage to the heart of the Himalayas. However, beneath the breathtaking vistas and monumental achievements lies an untold story: the issue of litter along the Everest Base Camp trail. This article looks at how big the problem is, what's being done about it, and what you can do on your own trek.
Photo Credit: martinedstrom.com
Watch: a clean-up reel from the Khumbu by Ten G Sherpa on Instagram.
The Magnitude of the Problem
The EBC trail, stretching approximately 130 kilometres round trip from Lukla, carries a lot of people, and a lot of waste with them. Each year, the influx of trekkers, which numbers in the tens of thousands, leaves behind plastic bottles, food wrappers, batteries and worn-out equipment. Lodges have to burn, bury or fly out what their guests leave, and the Khumbu has no road to truck it away.
The damage goes deeper than looks. The environmental impact is profound, affecting local wildlife, water sources, and the health of the local Sherpa communities. The waste, much of which is non-biodegradable, poses a significant challenge in a region where waste management infrastructure is minimal, and the harsh conditions make decomposition a slow process.
How much waste comes off Everest each season
In spring 2026, Everest's busiest climbing season on record with 701 climbers on Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse, the SPCC removed 90,329 kg of waste. Above base camp its teams also brought down 1,769 bags of human waste.
| Where it came from | Waste removed, spring 2026 |
|---|---|
| Base camp area | 80,579 kg |
| Above base camp | 9,750 kg |
Those numbers come mostly from expeditions, not trekkers. Down on the trekking trail the waste is spread over 130 km of lodges, and most of it is plastic packaging, bottles and batteries.
Efforts to Combat the Problem
Addressing the waste issue is a monumental task, compounded by the region's challenging geography. The remote and rugged terrain of the Khumbu Valley makes establishing and maintaining effective waste management systems a daunting endeavour. Additionally, the seasonal nature of trekking and climbing activities leads to a concentrated period of heavy foot traffic, overwhelming the limited waste disposal facilities and straining local communities responsible for trail maintenance.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, various stakeholders have mobilized to confront the challenge head-on. Clean-up campaigns initiated by conservation groups, non-profit organizations, and local authorities have made significant strides in removing litter from the trails. These efforts collect trash and also try to build a sense of environmental stewardship among trekkers and the local population. Meanwhile, some trekking companies have set a positive example by adopting eco-friendly practices, such as encouraging the use of refillable water bottles and ensuring that all waste is packed out.
Since 2020, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality has banned all plastics less than 30 microns thick, including drinks in plastic bottles. However, the ban has not been fully effective. The rules keep tightening, though: from the 2024 season, climbers heading above Base Camp must carry out their own human waste in sealed biodegradable bags, a requirement enforced by the municipality.
Waste bins line the Everest Base Camp trail, courtesy of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), an independent organization dedicated to maintaining the cleanliness of the Khumbu area. These bins are strategically placed at natural resting spots to motivate hikers to sort their refuse, separating cans, tins, and bottles from other types of trash (distinguishing between combustible and non-combustible materials). Since its inception in 1991, the SPCC has committed to enhancing local engagement in waste management, setting up a waste separation system, and exploring avenues to minimize waste generation. Emphasizing the importance of repurposing and recycling, the SPCC upholds the principle that “waste is not waste until it’s wasted,” a philosophy now embraced by various groups within the region.
The rules, year by year
| Year | What changed |
|---|---|
| 1991 | The SPCC is set up as a local non-profit to manage waste in the Khumbu |
| 2014 | Every Everest climber must bring down 8 kg of waste or lose the team's garbage deposit |
| 2019 | Carry Me Back pilot: trekkers carry small bags of waste from Namche to Lukla |
| 2020 | Khumbu municipality bans plastic drink bottles and plastics thinner than 30 microns |
| 2022 | Carry Me Back resumes after the pandemic |
| 2024 | Climbers above base camp must carry their human waste down in sealed bags |
| 2026 | SPCC rangers posted at Camp II, and climbers must bring 2 kg extra from above it |
Addressing this issue goes beyond the responsibility of local authorities alone, it falls significantly on the travellers themselves to maintain the cleanliness of the trail. Therefore, travellers should adopt the following principles to contribute effectively.
1. Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Adopting Leave No Trace principles is fundamental. This means packing out all the waste you create, including food wrappers, bottles, and other trash. Be mindful of your impact on the natural surroundings and ensure that you leave the areas you visit exactly as you found them or even better.
2. Use Reusable Water Bottles and Containers
One significant source of litter on the trails is single-use plastic bottles and containers. By carrying a reusable water bottle and purifying your water using tablets or a filter, you cut your waste and your carbon footprint. Similarly, using reusable food containers and utensils for your meals can significantly cut down on garbage.
3. Participate in Clean-Up Initiatives
Joining clean-up campaigns along the trek can amplify your positive impact. Many organizations and groups organize clean-up treks or dedicate a day of their journey to collecting litter found along the trails. Participating in these initiatives cleans the path and raises awareness among fellow trekkers.
4. Choose Eco-Friendly Tour Operators
Select tour operators who are committed to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Some operators actively engage in eco-friendly initiatives, enforce strict waste management protocols among our teams, and contribute to conservation efforts in the Everest region. By choosing these operators, you support practices that help in preserving the natural beauty of the Himalayas.
5. Educate Yourself and Others
Awareness is key to change. Educate yourself about the environmental challenges facing the Everest region and share this knowledge with fellow trekkers. Encourage your peers to adopt eco-friendly practices and discuss the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the trails. A collective effort can lead to a significant reduction in the litter problem.
6. Carry a Trash Bag
Having a small trash bag with you during your trek allows you to easily carry back your waste. It also empowers you to pick up any litter you might find along the trail. While it may seem like a small gesture, if every trekker adopted this practice, the cumulative impact would be profound.
7. Support Local Conservation Efforts
Many local organizations work tirelessly to address environmental challenges in the Everest region. Supporting these organizations, whether through volunteering, donations, or simply by adhering to their guidelines, can greatly enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
8. Advocate for Sustainable Practices
Use your voice to advocate for sustainable practices within your trekking group and beyond. Share your experiences and the importance of conservation on social media, blogs, or with your community. Advocacy raises awareness and can inspire others to take action.
9. Carry a Bag Back From Namche
The Carry Me Back scheme, run by Sagarmatha Next with the SPCC, hands trekkers a small bag of crushed plastic or cans, about 1 kg, at Namche Bazaar. You drop it at the collection point in Lukla before your flight, and it's flown to Kathmandu for recycling. In the 2019 pilot, trekkers and guides carried out 5,400 bags in six weeks. Ask your guide where the pickup point is this season.
How Swotah Runs a Cleaner Everest Trek
Choosing the right trekking company makes a difference to the trail. Here is what we do on our own treks.
- No single-use plastic. Our treks run without bottled water. Guides help you refill from lodge water with purification tablets or a filter.
- Carry it out. Under our Trash Man routine, the crew carries out everything the group carries in and hands it over for proper disposal.
- Local staff. Our guides and porters come from Nepal's mountain communities, so the wages stay in the hills.
- Part of every trip funds schooling. Our commitment page explains how.
Your guide will also show you where the Carry Me Back bags are handed out, and where to refill your bottle.
Also, Read Realities of low-cost trekking Packages in Nepal
Trash on the Everest Base Camp Trail: FAQs
Is the Everest Base Camp trail dirty?
The main trail is mostly clean today, thanks to the SPCC and the lodges. You'll see rubbish pits near some villages and litter around Gorak Shep in busy seasons, but far less than the photos from the 2000s suggest.
Can I buy bottled water on the Everest Base Camp trek?
Plastic drink bottles have been banned in the Khumbu municipality since 2020, though the ban isn't fully enforced. Bring a bottle and purification tablets, or fill up at the refill stations in some villages and at lodges.
What should I do with batteries on the trek?
Carry them home. The Khumbu has no way to recycle batteries, and burning or burying them leaks heavy metals into the soil and water.
Who cleans Mount Everest?
Mainly the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a local non-profit set up in 1991. It runs the base camp waste system, checks climbers' waste quotas, and in spring 2026 removed more than 90 tonnes from the mountain. The Nepal Army also runs clean-up expeditions.
