Kathmandu: Nepal has launched an innovative solution to tackle the mounting waste problem on Mount Everest — by using drones to clean up the world’s highest peak. The high-altitude project, spearheaded by local startup Airlift Technology, deployed cargo drones to retrieve over one metric ton of waste from Everest between March and May this year.
The drones, manufactured by Chinese tech firm DJI, were able to lift loads of 15 to 32 kilograms from Camp 1 down to Base Camp, flying over treacherous terrain at altitudes above 6,000 metres. What usually takes Sherpas more than seven hours on foot through icefalls and crevasses, the drones accomplished in just three minutes — significantly reducing human risk.
Mount Everest has long been labelled the “world’s highest garbage dump” due to the decades of expedition waste abandoned on its slopes. The Everest drone cleanup transported down discarded oxygen tanks, food wrappers, damaged tents, and even human waste. The effort supports wider environmental goals and reduces pressure on Sherpa teams, who face life-threatening challenges during manual cleanups.
Airlift Technology co-founder Milan Pandey said, “Our main motive was bringing the garbage down safely and quickly.” The initiative was welcomed by the climbing community, with veteran Sherpas noting that the drones can reach dangerous areas where humans cannot.
This Everest drone cleanup project is being hailed as a game-changer in both environmental protection and mountaineering logistics. With the number of climbers increasing every year, experts hope the technology will become a permanent part of future expeditions to keep the Himalayas clean and safe.
