Trash On Mount Everest Gets The Headlines, But That Is Not The Full Story
Since the start of the climbing season on Mount Everest this year, Nepal has faced renewed global scrutiny over waste and overcrowding. While images of trash-strewn slopes often dominate headlines, expedition leaders argue it is a misleading picture.
"Mountaineering expeditions, especially to Mount Everest, have improved significantly over the last few years," said Roland Hunter, managing director of The Mountain Company, which organises treks and expeditions in the Himalayas and Karakoram, in an email interview.
Hunter, who lives in Nepal for four to five months every year, also pointed out that 'the Base Camp is clean these days due to the higher level of monitoring and checking by the Nepalese authorities.'
So, if the Everest Base Camp is now closely monitored and kept clean, where exactly do the trash-filled slopes in the pictures originate?
How Nepal Holds Expeditions Accountable
Hunter emphasized that effective waste management is already a core part of Everest expeditions. The rule that climbers must carry down at least 8 kg (17.6 pounds) of trash has been in place for 10 years.
If not, their $4,000 garbage deposit that funds Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee will be lost, which has been a standard requirement since 2013.
Each expedition has also an assigned government-appointed Liaison Officer who must certify that the team's base camp has been appropriately cleaned before any refund is issued.
As of today, human waste bags, also known as WAG bags, are carried down by pack animals from Everest Base Camp in barrels for disposal in Gorakshep.
The Mount Everest Biogas Project could change that, but it is still seeking funding of $650,000 to construct a biogas digester that would process human waste more effectively.
Why is managing human waste important? In high-altitude terrain and freezing temperatures, it does not decompose naturally, said Gavin Bate, member of the Millennium Seven Summits team and founder of Adventure Alternative, in an email interview.
If left unmanaged, human waste can sit for months and eventually seep into water sources, polluting the waters that local communities and ecosystems rely on.
The Real Waste Problem May Lie Beyond The Everest Base Camp
Hunter explained that the other 8,000- and 7,000-meter base camps in Nepal often see more trash accumulation than Mount Everest, mainly because they receive less attention from both Nepalese authorities and international media.
"We organise trekking groups to many of these Base Camps, such as at Dhaulagiri, and they are much dirtier and have more trash than Everest Base Camp," said Hunter.
Dhaulagiri Mountain (8167 m) with Jhong Village in the foreground.
He also pointed out that trekking groups may have an even larger environmental impact than mountain expeditions. Why? Because trekking in Nepal attracts far more people than mountaineering, and the trails cover a much larger area.
However, unlike Mount Everest, these routes are usually not monitored by the authorities, Hunter explained. That means it is up to each trekking company to manage the environmental impact of their guests.
"On the websites of most operators, they disclose they are eco-friendly and sustainable, although we have found in practice that this is not usually the case," said Hunter.
Fathom Stead, high-altitude expert and Nepal product manager at Explore Worldwide, agreed with this assessment in an email interview but noted that she has seen both tour operators and travelers making more conscious choices. Still, she acknowledged that waste management has significant room for improvement.
Group of three trekkers passing signpost "Way to Mount Everest Base Camp" in Sagarmatha National ... More Park, the highest national park in the world.
Experts Agree It Is Not About Stopping People From Coming
Bates believes it is time to rethink our sense of entitlement when it comes to travel. Since the 1950s, the freedom to explore the world has become so normalized in wealthier countries that it is often treated as a basic right, even to remote and fragile environments.
"We have reached a point where flying to iconic destinations like Mount Everest is something people just expect to do. Because they can, and because they can afford it,' he said.
But Bates argues the industry must grapple with a bigger question: Is tourism simply about making money? Or should it be a force for education and environmental stewardship, helping people understand the wonder and vulnerability of the places they visit and motivating them to protect them?
"It is not about stopping people from coming, it is about making sure they spend their time in Nepal the right way,' agreed Stead.
"Choosing to travel overland rather than flying helps ensure that future generations can enjoy the Himalayas too. Haze caused by pollution has become an increasing issue in recent years, often clouding views of the mountains that once seemed untouchable," she said.
Stead listed the benefits of overland travel as slower, more immersive, and more sustainable experiences that allow travelers to engage meaningfully with local communities.
She also noted that Explore Worldwide's Nepal itineraries are entirely overland by design, giving trekkers more time to acclimatize, support family-run lodges, eat local food, and contribute directly to village economies, creating a deeper and more positive impact than fly-in, fly-out treks.
Sherpa village and teahouse lodges high on the Everest base camp trail deep in the remote Khumbu ... More valley overlooked by the dramatic white spire of Ama Dablam.
How Responsible Travel In The Himalayas Should Look Like?
"There is no doubt that the increase in tourism in popular hiking areas is impacting the environment and putting a strain on local infrastructure. However, there are ways in which travellers can be more responsible and steps they can take to help protect the environment of the destination they are visiting," said Shalmali Rao Paterson, Nepal specialist at adventure travel company, Wild Frontiers.
Paterson recommends researching carefully before your trip and choosing locally owned hotels, guesthouses, or community-led homestays. These will not only provide a more authentic experience but also offer a chance to connect with local culture and support the communities directly.
"During your visit, make sure you contribute to local businesses and give back to the community by purchasing locally made handicrafts to support the traditional industries in the area," she said.
In Nepal, there are numerous opportunities to learn from volunteers in conservation areas or participate in experiences such as cookery classes or village walks.
Cooking Sel Roti (Nepali style bread).
Bates also argues that meaningful change in tourism starts with education and accountability. 'The rules are always harder to comply with when people do not understand why they exist,' he said.
He believes travelers need to feel part of the problem if they are ever going to be part of the solution. A sentiment often shared by other experts in conservation-led tourism.
Since tourism is not going to disappear, he notes the only way forward is to embed talking about climate change into school curricula and to place it at the heart of government policy, where regulation becomes not just necessary, but inevitable.
Nepal Introduces Toughest Everest Climbing Rules in Decades
Indeed, the Nepali government is cracking down on Mount Everest expeditions with its strictest climbing rules in nearly 30 years.
Lawmakers introduced a new bill to the National Assembly in April 2025. Although it has not yet passed, officials have already begun enforcing many of its provisions this climbing season.
Among the new regulations, the most consequential are: 1) the requirement that climbers must summit at least one 7,000-meter (22,965-foot) peak in Nepal before applying for a permit for Mount Everest, and 2) the ban on solo expeditions on Mount Everest and all other 8,000-meter (26,247-foot) peaks.
A roped team ascending Mount Everest wearing oxigen masks.
Last but not least, as of September 1, 2025, the cost of a permit for Mount Everest will also rise by 36%, from $11,000 to $15,000.
Taking bold steps like the above to redefine what responsible high-altitude tourism should look like in Nepal is just one part of the equation.
Real change may require more than regulation, it may require 'the whole village'.
It demands conscious choices from travelers, meaningful accountability from operators, and a broader shift in how people value these remote, fragile landscapes.
As the Himalayas face increasing pressure from climate change and mass tourism, the question remains: can the future of mountain travel be one of protection and purpose, rather than just a privilege for the wealthy or the ultimate bucket-list adventure?
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