Gripped Magazine
Drones Are Now Flying Waste Off Everest
More people than ever are visiting Mount Everest every year, which has led to a serious accumulation of garbage, which is threatening the mountain’s ecosystem. An estimated 12,000 kg of waste are left behind by climbers and trekkers every year.
A company named Cymax, based in Nepal, has partnered with Airlift Technology to use drones to transport waste from Everest. “Everest is our national pride,” said Sahil Shrestha, CEO of Cymax. “We are committed to using technology for its protection and to support sustainable development and a clean environment.”
Drones, capable of flying at 15 metres per second in temperatures as low as -15°C, reduce waste transport time from six to seven hours to one to two minutes. “Many lives were lost in previous years during rope-fixing and garbage transport,” said Milan Pandey, director of Airlift Technology. “Now, drone technology has not only made waste collection more efficient but also safer.”
In 2024, Airlift Technology collected 234 kg of waste from camp one on Everest, and 641 kg from another famous peak, Ama Dablam. This season, 286 kg has been collected from Everest, with plans to expand to several other Himalayan peaks. “This partnership aims to collect 1,000 kg of garbage from the Everest region this year,” said Shrestha.
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