French humanitarian association Montagne et Partage has collected 5 tonnes of waste from Everest Base Camp at 5,300 metres and the 7,906-metre-high South Col, as part of its Everest cleaning campaign named Everest Green. Their 40-day mission started on April 13 and ended on May 23.

According to the organizer, 2 tonnes of trash has been carried down to Namche where it will be incinerated. The remaining 3 tonnes of recyclable waste is being brought to Kathmandu by road for processing and treatment. Most of the trash collected by the group consists of aluminium, nylon cords, textiles, scrap, batteries and plastic objects. The project which costs 150,000 euros is being financed entirely by Montagne et Partage.

French Ambassador Yves Carmona hosted a reception in honour of the expedition group and their efforts to help clean Everest. During the programme, group members talked about their project and presented the envoy a symbolic expedition flag.

Ambassador Carmona recalled the common relationship between Nepal and France around mountains and highlighted the need to raise environmental awareness among the relevant stakeholders as a long-term solution.

Montagne et Partage is a French association which aims to provide all forms of humanitarian aid to needy people in mountain areas in the fields of education, health, environment and economic development.

The association believes that mountains are one of the finest schools of life that inspires humility, sharing and universal brotherhood.