Nepal Ends Failed Everest Waste Deposit Scheme After 11 Years

Narrative A

Nepal's garbage deposit scheme on Everest was a complete failure that wasted 11 years and accomplished nothing. The $4,000 refundable deposit became meaningless tip money for wealthy climbers who simply abandoned waste at higher camps while gaming the system by returning trash only from lower elevations. Without proper enforcement, expert oversight or stakeholder input, the scheme suffered from organizational chaos, political instability and liaison officer corruption that made it impossible to monitor what actually happened on the mountain.