Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth. Everest is a place where people chase their biggest dreams. Behind this adventure, there is a hidden, surprising truth. Everest has a growing garbage problem. From oxygen bottles to torn tents, waste left by climbers has slowly turned the parts of the mountain into an outdoor dumping ground. This issue raises an important question: Who cleans Mount Everest’s Garbage?
To understand the answer, we must first understand the reason behind the waste itself. Over the last several decades, the number of climbers on Everest has increased quickly. As more people reached the summit, more food, gear, and equipment were carried up to the mountain. Because of the extreme cold and thin air, many climbers struggled to bring everything back down. Some climbers had to abandon their trash to save energy and stay alive. Over time, these piles are trapped under sheets of ice and snow.
Cleaning Everest is not like washing a normal place. The mountain is tall, remote, and extremely dangerous. Temperatures can drop below -30°C. The air in the mountains becomes too thin for most people to breathe properly. Even reaching trash requires long and risky climbs.
And still, Everest does get cleaned. Many people, from Sherpa and soldiers to environmental groups and climbers, work together to protect this incredible mountain. Their efforts show commitment, courage, and deep respect for nature.
In this blog, we will explore who cleans Everest, how they do it and why their work matters so much.
Why Does Mount Everest Have So Much Garbage?
Mount Everest may look pure and untouched from the outside, but the actual reality is different. Over the years, thousands of climbers have traveled to the mountain with the dream of reaching the summit. This dream brought more people, more equipment, and, unfortunately, a huge amount of waste. But why does Everest have so much garbage in the first place?
The problem started in the 1950s when the first climbers successfully reached the top. At that time, there were no strict rules about managing waste. Climbers carried heavy loads of food, fuel, tents, ropes, and oxygen cylinders. After fighting through storms, exhaustion, and freezing temperatures most climbers simply do not have the strength to carry everything back down. Leaving trash behind became a matter of survival, not a choice.
Another big reason is the extreme cold temperatures of the mountain. When garbage is left on Everest but it does not rot or disappear. Instead, the trash gets frozen and stays there for decades. Old cans, broken ladders, plastic wrappers, and even human waste remain trapped under layers of ice. Some trash is so old that it is considered historical.
The most dangerous area is known as the Death Zone, which is above 8,000 meters, which adds another problem. Here, the air is so thin that climbers can barely breathe. Every step requires a huge effort. Many climbers leave items behind to survive because carrying extra weight, like garbage, can be life-threatening.
Additionally, the rise of commercial expeditions has brought large groups to Everest each season. This sudden increase in visitors creates even more waste than before. All of these factors together explain why Everest has become one of the world's highest and hardest zones to clean trash.
Sherpa's Contribution to Cleaning Everest
Sherpas are the true backbone of Mount Everest. Sherpas are an ethnic group who live in the high Himalayan region. For many generations, Sherpas have guided climbers, carried loads, fixed ropes, and helped people to reach the summit. But many people do not know that Sherpas also play the biggest role in cleaning up Everest's garbage.
Sherpas are born and raised at high altitude, so their bodies are naturally adapted to low oxygen levels. This makes them strong and capable of working in places where most people struggle to breathe. Sherpa's skills allow them to move safely on steep slopes, icy cliffs, and dangerous sections of mountain areas where cleaning is complicated.
Sherpas often lead official cleanup missions organized every climbing season. They collect old tents, broken ladders, empty oxygen bottles, ropes, plastic waste, and even human waste left on the mountain. Sometimes, they must dig through deep snow and need to climb risky sections like the Khumbu Icefall, where the ice can collapse at any time.
Their work is not only physical, but it is also emotional. Many Sherpas feel a deep spiritual connection to Everest, so they call it Chomolungma, which means “Goddess Mother of the World”. So cleaning the mountain is not just a job for them. It is also a form of respect and devotion.
Despite the danger, Sherpas continue to work tirelessly on the mountain. Without the sherpa's strength, skill, and courage, most of the cleaning efforts on Everest would be impossible.
Government Programs and Rules for Cleanup
The Nepali Government also plays a major role in keeping Mount Everest clean. As the number of climbers is growing every year, the amount of garbage is also increasing. To control this problem, the government has introduced several rules and launched special cleanup programs. These cleanup programs focus on protecting Everest and the surrounding Khumbu region.
One of the most important steps is the Everest Cleaning Campaign. It is a large project where trained teams, Nepal Army personnel, Sherpa's and local workers clean different parts of the mountains. These teams work together during climbing season to remove tons of trash that has been stuck on the slope for years. Their mission often collects old ropes, oxygen cylinders, food cans, plastic, and even dead batteries.
To make climbers more responsible, the government has introduced a strict rule that every climber must bring back 8 to 10 kilograms of garbage after their expedition. Climbers pay a refundable deposit before starting their journey. They get this money back only if they return with the required waste. This rule encourages climbers to manage their trash more carefully instead of leaving it behind.
The government has also set up waste control checkpoints where the officials check incoming and outgoing gear. These checkpoints help to track how much trash climbers are carrying and ensure rules are followed.
In addition, waste collection centers and recycling points have been built along the trekking route to Everest Base Camp. These centers make it easier to properly sort, store, and transport waste away from mountains. Through these rules and programs, Nepal is showing a strong commitment to protecting Everest for the upcoming generations.
NGOs and Environmental Groups Working on Everest
While the government and Sherpa play a huge role, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and environmental groups are also key fighters in this battle to keep Everest clean. These groups work throughout the year, not only during climbing season. They play a role in managing waste and creating awareness. These organizations support long-term environmental protection in the Everest region.
Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) is one of the most active groups. SPPC is responsible for managing waste from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. They place dustbins along the trails to check climbers' waste at different points and teach local trekkers about proper waste disposal. SPCC also supervises the removal of old ropes and ladders from dangerous sections like Khumbu Icefall.
Another important group is the Everest Summiters Association (ESA). This organization is made up of Climbers who have already reached the summit of Everest. This group is made up of all climbers because they understand the harsh conditions of Everest and lead the high-altitude cleanup missions. ESA teams collect old tents, cans, metal parts, and equipment from higher camps, especially from Camp 2 and Camp 4.
Environmental Groups like Keep Nepal Clean and many other local youth organizations also run awareness campaigns, clean trekking trails, and encourage visitors to carry reusable bottles and bags instead of plastic. They also work with schools in the Khumbu region. They also teach young students about the value of protecting their mountain environment.
Trash collected by these groups is often sorted and transported by yaks, porters, or even helicopters. Recyclable materials are sent to Kathmandu, and non-recyclable waste is safely managed.
These NGOs and environmental groups create a strong support system that keeps the Everest region cleaner, greener, and more sustainable each year.
How Climbers and Expedition Teams Help in Cleaning Everest?
In recent years, climbers and expedition teams have taken more responsibility for keeping Mount Everest clean. This change is important because climbers are the ones who bring most of the equipment and supplies up to the mountain. When climbers manage their waste properly, there will be less garbage remaining on Everest.
Today, many expedition companies start by teaching climbers about responsible mountaineering. Before the climb begins, teams need to attend briefings about waste rules, safety practices, and environmental protection. Climbers learn how to pack smartly, reduce unnecessary items, and carry reusable gear instead of single-use plastics.
One of the biggest improvements is the use of eco-friendly systems. Many teams now bring portable toilet bags and barrels for human waste, which doesn't pollute the camp. They also use strong waste bags designed to collect trash even in freezing conditions. Modern oxygen bottles can be tracked and reused, which reduces the number left behind.
Climbers need to bring a certain amount of garbage as part of the government rules. Expedition leaders check every member's waste at Base Camp before they leave for home. If somebody leaves trash behind, the whole team may face penalties, so everyone encourages each other to follow the rules.
Some climbers voluntarily join cleanup efforts, especially while returning from the summit. They pick up small items like wrappers, old ropes, or lost tools. These simple actions make a big difference.
By following these rules, using better systems, and working together with climbers and expedition teams, we have become an important part of the solution to the Everest garbage problem.
Challenges of Cleaning Mountain Everest
Cleaning Mount Everest is not like cleaning a normal place; it is one of the hardest cleanup jobs in the world. Mountains themselves create many challenges, which make the work extremely dangerous and slow.
The biggest challenge is the extreme altitude of the mountain. As the height increases, the air becomes thinner, making it difficult to breathe. Even stronger Sherpas and trained climbers must move very carefully. At the higher camp, even small actions like bending, lifting trash, or even walking require huge effort, and carrying extra weight like garbage becomes even more difficult.
The freezing temperatures are another problem. Trash often gets buried under thick layers of snow and ice. Plastic bags, tents, and old ropes get frozen solid removing them safely takes hours of digging. Sometimes trash is stuck to the ice for decades, which makes it almost impossible to pull out without special tools.
The mountain terrain also makes cleaning dangerous. The Khumbu Icefall, for example, is filled with moving ice towers that can collapse with any movement. High winds, deep crevasses, and slippery slopes make the job dangerous for the cleanup teams.
Another major challenge is the cost; cleaning missions require gear, transportation, trained staff, and some helicopters to bring down the waste. These operations are expensive, and funds are always limited.
The short climbing season adds more pressure. Teams get only a few weeks each year when the weather is stable enough to work. Human waste management is also difficult at high camps where normal toilets cannot be built.
Due to all of these challenges, cleaning Everest requires bravery, teamwork, and strong planning. Every piece of garbage removed from Everest is a huge achievement.
Improvements and Future Steps
Despite many challenges, Mount Everest is becoming cleaner each year. All thanks to the hard work of Sherpas, government teams, NGOs, and responsible climbers. The mountain condition has improved compared to 10 to 20 years ago. Recent cleanup campaigns removed several tons of garbage, including old tents, rope, metal items, plastic items, and even long-lost equipment buried under the ice. These successful stories show that consistent effort truly makes a difference.
Strict government rules, such as mandatory water return and deposit systems, have also helped to reduce the amount of new trash left on mountains. Many expedition companies now promote clean climbing. Climbers themselves are more aware of their environmental responsibilities. Waste processing centers built in the Khumbu region have made it easier to sort and recycle trash collected from the mountain and Trekking trails.
However, there is still more work to be done. Future steps include building a better waste treatment system at Everest Base Camp, improving recycling methods, creating stronger rules for expedition companies, and increasing education for climbers before they begin their journey. International support, funding, and technology invocation can also play a big role in long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
Keeping Mount Everest clean is a shared responsibility of everyone. Sherpas risk their lives, government teams enforce rules, NGOs work tirelessly, and now even the climbers play a bigger role than ever. Together, these efforts of everyone protect the beauty and spirit of the World's highest mountain. A cleaner Everest means a safer, healthier, and more respected natural wonder for future generations. Protecting Everest is not just a duty, but it is a promise to respect nature's greatest peak for every generation.