Thimphu — June 5, 2026 — Bhutan has released the findings of its National Waste Inventory Survey 2025, providing the most comprehensive data yet to guide waste policy, infrastructure planning, and investment. The survey reveals that daily waste output has surged to 240,940 kilograms, a 40 percent increase since 2019, underscoring the urgency of strengthening waste management systems.
Conducted under the Management of Plastic Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics project — a partnership between the Department of Environment and Climate Change, UNDP, and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project — the survey offers critical insights into waste generation patterns.
According to the report, Bhutan now generates 0.31 kilograms of waste per person per day, with the commercial sector contributing 53.8 percent, households 34.7 percent, and industry 5.9 percent. Wet waste accounts for half of all waste, followed by dry waste at 32 percent and plastics at 17 percent. Urban households produce nearly double the waste of rural ones, highlighting the need for targeted urban interventions.
Despite rising volumes, the survey points to encouraging progress. In schools, 70 percent now segregate wet and dry waste, with nearly half separating recyclables. Government offices have reduced per capita waste generation from 0.19 kilograms in 2019 to 0.127 kilograms in 2025, reflecting stronger policy enforcement and awareness.
The updated data is already shaping Bhutan’s waste management future, informing the Waste Infrastructure Master Plan, revisions to the National Waste Management Strategy, and estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from the sector. These findings provide policymakers with a stronger foundation for planning investments, improving services, and advancing circular approaches to resource use.
By showing where waste is generated and how it is handled, the survey strengthens Bhutan’s ability to build a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-conscious future.
