Ncell Foundation’s Waste Management Hackathon: Driving Tech Solutions for Nepal’s Environment
9th June 2025, 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.
Ncell Foundation Waste Management Hackathon
In this groundbreaking event that brought together over 400 applicants, culminating in 13 finalist teams. After 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 from Thapathali Campus, Institute of Engineering (IoE) clinched the first position for their innovative solution under the theme Digitize Trash. EcoLoop presented a tech platform that enables households to segregate, track, and dispose of waste responsibly while earning rewards through a gamified system. Team Ecoloop includes 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, consisting of Anshu Regmi, Rojan Shrestha, and Kabish Pokhrel, stood as the First Runner-Up. Their project was 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, using AI to help municipalities optimise waste management and track CO2 emissions.
“This is the kind of grassroots innovation Nepal needs,” remarked Hon’ble Minister of Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, who attended the final showcase along with 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-looking step toward 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 & President, Khaalisisi Management, said, “Our goal was to not just raise awareness but 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 (CNIYEF) and will be fast-tracked for pilot opportunities through Khaalisisi and Budhanilkantha Municipality and CNIYEF. Their solutions are now being prepared for real-world implementation in collaboration with municipalities and industry partners.
In this 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 spotlighted 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 Digitize Trash. Notably, over 40% of finalist teams were led or co-led by women, signaling a promising shift in inclusivity in a sector where women represent less than 5% of the workforce.
The hackathon 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 (MIT), and Byapar Pathshala.
About Ncell Foundation
The Ncell Foundation stands as a catalyst for positive change. Rooted in the philosophy of making a sustainable impact through meaningful community projects, the Foundation is more than just a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Ncell; it is a driving force committed to uplifting and empowering communities across the nation.
From urban centres like the Kathmandu Valley to remote villages in Nepal’s hills and plains, the Foundation is creating real impact—bridging the digital divide, enhancing access to healthcare and education, and fostering inclusion. At the heart of its mission lies a commitment to connect not just with people, but also purpose, culture, and progress.
With a social contribution of over Rs. 2 billion to date, Ncell has touched the lives of 13 million+ people directly or indirectly through numerous social initiatives, impacting the community at large.
For more: Ncell Foundation Waste Management Hackathon
