Fast fashion turns into waste in Nepal
Nepal is currently facing a fast fashion crisis, destroying its environment, economy, and traditional culture. According to the World Bank, about 48% of Nepal’s imported clothing comes from China and 41% from India. Most of the clothing in the country is cheap and of poor quality.
There is a government ban on the import of used clothing. Rivers, public spaces, and landfills around Kathmandu still contain piles of new, substandard clothing, which is becoming textile waste. These items are disposable and are thrown away after only a few uses.
As a result, there is a terrible impact on the ecosystem of Nepal. Nepal is ranked as the fourth most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change. But it contributes only 0.027% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 6,000 rivers and vast landscapes of this country, from the Himalayas to the plains, are suffering from waste accumulation. Landfills like Banchare Danda near Kathmandu are overflowing with textile waste, causing respiratory illnesses, widespread crop damage, and contaminating water sources.
The appearance of fast fashion is also hurting the domestic garment industry of Nepal. This “sandwiching” effect is threatening the local economy and traditions associated with garment production and reuse.
The Nepalese government is trying to create anti-dumping laws similar to those of the European Union to prevent harmful imports. However, the 1,700-kilometer open border with India in 2024 has facilitated smuggling, which has been called a hotspot.
We simply can’t compete with China, where low-cost, mass-produced clothing floods the market. The reality is, Nepal remains heavily dependent on imports— not just for readymade clothes, but for most other goods as well.
Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chair Emeritus of the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment
Social organizations are conducting river cleanups and promoting sustainable fashion awareness. Thrift stores and upcycling projects are helping to educate the public about sustainable consumption.
Fast fashion is destroying the traditional practice of recycling and reusing clothes. Kathmandu’s main dump, Banchare Danda, is overflowing with textile waste, while toxic dyes are being released and synthetic fibers are decomposing, causing methane emissions and water pollution. This creates a threat to public health.
The consequences of this crisis have affected the country widely, drawing comparisons to the clash between traditional sustainable practices and the globalized fast fashion economy.
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