Summary:
Nepal is facing a severe fast fashion crisis, largely due to the influx of cheap, mass-produced clothing imported mainly from its neighboring giants, China and India. These countries export around 89% of the clothes and textiles sold in Nepal, flooding the market with low-cost items that often end up discarded in rivers like the Dhobi Khola in Kathmandu. Despite the sacred status of rivers in Hinduism, these waterways are used as dumping grounds for textile waste, including brightly colored shredded clothes, torn t-shirts, and sneakers.
Nepal, heavily dependent on imports, struggles to compete with the low prices of Chinese and Indian garments. Although the government has banned the import of worn clothing to stop becoming a dumping ground, piles of cheap new clothes still litter riverbanks and wastelands around cities. This waste harms Nepal’s ecosystems, affecting everything from the Himalayan mountains to fertile plains.
Kathmandu’s landfill site, Banchare Danda, is overwhelmed with textile waste, contributing to environmental pollution and health issues in local communities. Textile waste is highly toxic due to chemicals used in manufacturing and, when decomposing, releases methane gas or contributes to plastic pollution.
People’s habits also contribute to the problem; many discard clothes after just a few wears instead of repairing them. While Nepal has environmental laws restricting hazardous waste imports, textiles remain largely unregulated chemically. The government is considering anti-dumping laws and chemical limits similar to the EU but faces challenges like smuggling across Nepal’s open border with India, which costs millions in unpaid taxes.
Local groups like Cleanup Nepal organize river cleanups, while slow fashion advocates promote traditional recycling practices aligned with Nepali culture. Second-hand clothing remains stigmatized by some, though attitudes are shifting among younger generations, with thrift stores gaining popularity.
However, cheap imports threaten local textile industries and traditions such as using shredded textile waste (Kalo Rooi) for making quilts and cushions. The convenience and affordability of fast fashion come at the cost of cultural connections and the local economy.
Overall, Nepal is caught in a difficult spot: battling environmental damage and economic dependency caused by fast fashion floods from its neighbors while trying to preserve its culture and environment.