Dentist Dr. Manu Karki founded ‘Eco Sathi Nepal’ in 2019, making significant contributions toward promoting a plastic-free and sustainable lifestyle. Amid the growing discourse on environmental protection, sustainable consumption, and plastic-free living in Nepal, Eco Sathi Nepal has distinguished itself by offering practical alternatives. This campaign actively promotes eco-friendly living through both social and commercial initiatives.
Eco Sathi Nepal was initiated following Dr. Karki’s visit to Taiwan in 2018. During her trip, she observed how people there responsibly reduced plastic use and carried their own bags to markets, demonstrating an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Upon returning to Nepal, she found it difficult to source eco-friendly products locally, with most foreign products heavily packaged in plastic. This experience inspired her to develop sustainable and environment-friendly alternatives within Nepal itself.
The primary goal of Eco Sathi Nepal is to make the plastic-free lifestyle simple and practical. According to Dr. Karki, even though Nepali society has a culture of reuse, the use of plastic materials has been increasing recently. The organization focuses on identifying plastic alternatives and encouraging consumers to shift towards them. A central aspect of this campaign is the ‘Zero Waste Store,’ where customers bring their own containers to refill necessary items. Currently, products like floor cleaner, hand wash, and dish wash are available.
Eco Sathi Nepal also provides environmentally friendly alternatives to various plastic products used in daily life. The store stocks bamboo toothbrushes, natural tooth powder, reusable metal razors, menstrual cups, dish brushes, nettle (sisnu) soap, and deodorant balm made from chiuri. These products are made using bio-enzymes, orange extracts, and other natural ingredients.
Additionally, Eco Sathi Nepal promotes the use of eco-friendly materials. As an alternative to the widely used polyester prayer flags in the market, cotton prayer flags have been introduced. Another key component of the campaign is the concept of a circular economy. Dr. Karki emphasizes that environmental protection does not require large investments or difficult efforts. She states, “Being environmentally friendly is not expensive; it is a matter of awareness that everyone can adopt.”
