Plastic Free Janakpur
Nepal | Kayapalat | 2023
Namaste!
We are Kayapalat, a dynamic organization based in Janakpur, Nepal passionate about creating positive change in our society. We do this through social campaigns, youth development, networking and sharing what we know on key issues like those involving the environment.
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18 - 24 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Single-use plastics are commonly used items in our home city of Janakpur, causing plastic pollution and harm to the environment and health of the citizens.
What did we do?
Solving a major problem like plastic pollution in our city needed a fresh approach to ensure long-term change. Through creative and collaborative brainstorming sessions, we invented Gutki and Panni, the official mascots for #pannisadurjanakpur (Plastic Free Jankapur). Gutki is a monster dustbin that shows the dark side of using plastic, while Panni is what plastic would look like if it were a person.
Together with our new mascots, we roamed around the city to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic use on the environment and our health. Interacting with locals and street vendors, we encouraged them to get rid of plastic in favor of more sustainable alternatives.
We empowered and equipped the youth through training, encouraging them to start grassroots initiatives to curb plastic use. The workshop was filled with vibrant discussions on kickstarting projects within their communities and getting governmental support for our advocacy efforts. Schools became involved and we helped establish ECO clubs that helped 3 schools in our city become plastic-free.
From the communities, we went up to the municipal level to influence local representatives to champion climate-friendly policies. The symbolic inauguration of Gutki by our Ward Chairperson signaled an important commitment to avoid using plastic in local offices. We also organized two major dialogues with some very big names in our locality - the Deputy Mayor, Working Group Members of Janakpurdham, and one member of the Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Pradhesh. Local authorities and communities came together during Kachahari Bahas (assemblies) to begin discussions on plastic pollution and an even bigger issue, climate change.
Our campaign gained widespread exposure through events such as Children’s Day and the Krishna Janmashtami festival. We also created a 1-minute advertisement on the negative impacts of plastic use, which aired in between screenings in a movie theater. About 288,000 people were able to see the ad within the campaign period.
Campaign Impact
The past 5 months have been transformative for our city! Community members actively participated and engaged in our campaign, letting us talk to them whenever we’d pass them by on the streets. Local vendors were seen hiding plastic bags during the campaign activities and we heard a lot of talk going on in public spaces. Stickers of our campaign mascot Gutki were seen everywhere, even on local tempos (rickshaws) and buses.
And our city wasn’t just all talk! A shift was observed as more residents are now using cloth bags over plastic packaging when buying goods from the market. Local vendors are giving shoppers an option to use cloth bags, with even the prestigious Goldstar Shoes Showroom at Janakpur making the eco-friendly switch.
Our impact went beyond individual actions, putting pressure on local authorities and influential policymakers to finally take action. This resulted in conducting a household survey to evaluate the waste produced in our city, showcasing a commitment to our cause. Sub-metropolitan cities are also considering pursuing a public-private partnership to set up a recycling center in our region.
Impact in Numbers
Reached 63.8K+ people on social media
16+ media features of our campaign
200,000+ people saw our advertisement on the impacts of plastic use
Words from Kayapalat
“I HAVE STARTED CARRYING A CLOTH BAG WITH ME. I DON’T USE PLASTIC BAGS ANYMORE NOW.”
Saloni Pandey
“I FEEL HAPPY TO REPLACE PLASTICS WITH CLOTH BAGS AND SO ARE MY CUSTOMERS AS THEY GET TO REUSE THE CLOTH BAGS UNLIKE THE PLASTIC ONES.”
Goldstar Janakpur Outlet Manager
