KATHMANDU: Ncell Foundation, in collaboration with Khaalisisi and Budhanilkantha Municipality, successfully organised "BIN THERE, HACKED THAT!", the first-of-its-kind flagship waste hackathon on the occasion of World Environment Day 2025.
In this groundbreaking event, over 400 applicants participated and 13 finalist teams were selected. Following an intense day of mentoring, pitching and prototyping on World Environment Day, the finalists developed and showcased innovative, tech-driven solutions to tackle Nepal’s escalating waste management crisis.
Team EcoLoop, representing Thapathali Campus of the Institute of Engineering (IoE), clinched first place for its innovative solution under the theme Digitise Trash. EcoLoop presented a technology platform that enables households to segregate, track and dispose of waste responsibly while earning rewards through a gamified system. Team EcoLoop comprised Nitesh Kumar Sah, Dharmendra Singh Chaudhary, Ramesh Kathayat and Bipin Kumar Marasin from Thapathali Campus, IoE.
Likewise, Team Fullstackzerowaste, a team of students from King's College Nepal comprising Anshu Regmi, Rojan Shrestha and Kabish Pokhrel, stood as the first runner-up with their project aligned with the Landfill to Circularity theme.
The second runner-up was Team Source Code, represented by students from Kathmandu University’s Department of Artificial Intelligence. Team members Aman Kumar Jha, Anshu Patel, Vhabuk Thapa and Aayush Gautam created a data-driven solution under the Waste Without Smoke theme, utilising artificial intelligence to help municipalities optimise waste management and track CO₂ emissions.
“This is the kind of grassroots innovation Nepal needs,” said the Hon’ble Minister of Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, who attended the final showcase alongside the mayor and deputy mayor of Budhanilkantha, ward chairs and the chief administrative officer. “Waste is not only an environmental issue—it is an economic and social one. These young innovators are lighting the path forward.”
The hackathon marked a bold and forward-thinking step towards circular innovation in Nepal. By mobilising young minds, technologists and environmental changemakers, the event highlighted the power of collaboration and creativity in addressing one of the country’s most pressing urban challenges.
“This hackathon was more than an event—it was a platform for civic innovation, where ideas met action and young minds came together to shape a better, greener tomorrow. At Ncell Foundation, we are proud to support and nurture such changemakers, empowering them to drive impact through technology and purpose,” said Bishakha Lakshmi Khadka, Director, Ncell Foundation & Special Projects.
Aayushi KC, Founder and President of Khaalisisi Management, added, “Our goal was not only to raise awareness but also to identify actionable solutions for Nepal’s waste crisis, while empowering students, technologists and especially women innovators in the process.”
Looking ahead, the top three teams will receive mentorship and incubation support from the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum and will be fast-tracked for pilot opportunities through Khaalisisi, Budhanilkantha Municipality and CNIYEF. Their solutions are now being prepared for real-world implementation in collaboration with municipalities and industry partners.
During the hackathon, participants were tasked with prototyping real-world solutions for sustainable waste management. Teams worked intensively to develop ideas ranging from smart waste segregation systems and recycling platforms to community-driven composting technologies and data-powered waste tracking tools.
Beyond the competition, the event showcased how strategic alliances between the public and private sectors can create impactful, scalable solutions. The hackathon highlighted young changemakers using code, creativity and climate commitment to reimagine Nepal’s waste economy.
The hackathon emphasised four key themes—Landfill to Circularity, Waste Without Smoke, Women in Waste Entrepreneurship and Digitise Trash. Notably, over 40% of the finalist teams were led or co-led by women, signalling a promising shift in inclusivity in a sector where women represent less than 5% of the workforce.
The event represented a powerful convergence of the private sector, government and civic innovators. It was co-organised by Golyan Group and supported by a strong network of partners, including Plast Nepal Foundation, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, CNIYEF, Nabil Bank, Grow By Idea, CloudFactory, Fusemachines, Ace Institute of Management, Model Institute of Technology and Byapar Pathshala.
