Gelephu advances circular interventions

Behaivoural change and sustanable waste management are at the heart of this effort

July 28, 2026

Group of people seated at tables in a classroom, watching a presenter at the front; projector screen — Hoteilers in Gelephu Throm

Monastics, households, businesses, vegetable and fruit vendors, scrap dealers and waste collectors in Gelephu Thromde took part in a three-day behavioural Change Advocacy Programme for Sustainable Waste Management. The programme, which ran from 25 to 27 July 2026, was a collaboration between the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) and UNDP and supports GMC’s plastic-free goal.

Together with school-based engagements, the initiative is expected to reach 500 participants in Gelephu Thromde. With a goal of translating awareness into practical action, the advocacy programme focussed on strengthening waste segregation at source, promoting alternatives to single-use plastics and encouraging the sustained adoption of circular-economy practices.

Female instructor addressing seated Buddhist monks in a bright room.

Each session was tailored to the roles and everyday experiences of the participating groups. Activities included hands-on waste identification and segregation, household waste audits, waste-mapping exercises, group discussions and practical demonstrations.

Participants were introduced to the 5R principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover and received guidance adapted to their homes, workplaces and institutions. The programme also highlighted how improper disposal affects waste collectors and recycling workers, reinforcing the importance of proper segregation, safe handling and responsible disposal practices.

Dorji Yangki, Managing Director of Governor’s Office, GMC, highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in achieving GMC’s sustainability ambitions.

“Achieving a cleaner and more sustainable Gelephu Mindfulness City requires collective responsibility and mindful choices in our daily lives. By properly segregating waste, valuing the contribution of our waste workers, and sharing sustainable practices within our communities, we can together make the vision of a Plastic-Free GMC a reality,” said Mrs. Dorji Yangki, Managing Director of the Governor’s Office, GMC.

Mr. Fadhil Bakeer Markar, Officer-in-Charge of UNDP Bhutan, emphasized that sustainable waste management requires both strong systems and changes in everyday behaviour.

“Infrastructure alone will not solve the waste challenge. Lasting change depends on people on our knowledge, our choices and our daily actions. Every reusable bag carried, every item correctly segregated and every unnecessary plastic item refused can help build a cleaner, greenerand more mindful Gelephu.”

A man in a suit and a woman in blazer pose indoors, each holding a tote bag; orange drapes. — Dorji Yangki, Managing Director of Governor’s Office, GMC and Fadhil Bakeer Markar, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative

As part of the initiative, 1,500 reusable carry bags were handed over to the Governor’s Office for distribution to promote alternatives to single-use plastic bags and support Gelephu Mindfulness City’s aspiration to become a Plastic-Free Carry Bag Zone. An additional 3,500 bags will be handed over in August 2026.

The reusable bags are intended not only as practical alternatives to single-use plastics, but also as reminders that everyday purchasing decisions can contribute to reducing plastic waste and promoting mindful consumption.

Dump truck atop a landfill pile with scattered trash and green hills in the background. — Three waste compactor trucks have been provided to Gelephu Throm through the project

Two waste-collection trucks were also officially handed over during the programme, in addition to the truck provided through the project last year. The trucks represent an important investment in strengthening Gelephu’s waste-management system.

They will help improve the efficiency and reliability of waste-collection services, reduce the accumulation of waste in neighbourhoods and public spaces, and support the efficient collection of segregated waste for increased recovery and recycling.

Group of people posing in front of two green and white trucks outdoors.

However, investments in infrastructure and services can only achieve their full potential when households, businesses and institutions also take responsibility for reducing waste and segregating it correctly at source.

Following the advocacy programme, a five-day Training of Trainers will be conducted from 28 July to 1 August 2026. The training will involve representatives from government agencies, schools, businesses, community institutions and the private sector.

Participants will develop implementation plans for the commitments made towards achieving a plastic-free GMC. They will also be equipped with the knowledge, practical skills and facilitation techniques needed to promote behavioural change and strengthen waste-management practices within their institutions and communities.

The trained participants will serve as champions for sustainable waste management, helping to carry the programme’s messages forward and supporting the implementation of commitments identified through stakeholder consultations.

To further strengthen plastic recycling and promote value addition, the project will hand over one plastic shredding machine to each of the two project landscapes in September 2026. The machines will support the processing of plastic waste into recyclable materials, enhancing resource recovery, strengthening local recycling capacity, and advancing circular economy efforts in both Gelephu and Paro.

Behavioural Change Advocacy and ToT programmes were also conducted in Paro from 2 to 13 July 2026, engaging local stakeholders and building capacity to promote sustainable waste management practices.

The waste programme is a part of the “Management of Plastics Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific” project, implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Gelephu Thromde and Paro District are the project landscapes for the initiative, which focuses on addressing the growing challenge of waste, particularly plastic waste. The project is funded by The Coca Cola Foundation.

Through stronger systems, improved infrastructure and informed citizens, the partnership seeks to transform waste from a challenge into an opportunity and support a cleaner, greener and more mindful Gelephu for future generations.