Sagarmatha Next, a centre dedicated to restoring mountains and promoting sustainable tourism by addressing waste management, has thrown its door open for visitors.

The project located at 3,775 metres at Syangboche, Solu Khumbu, in the foot of Mt Everest was opened last week after seven years of planning and construction, the company said in a press statement.

At Sagarmatha Next, visitors can witness the journey of mountain waste, from trash to beautiful art and design products, the company said.

Sagamartha Next will transform “waste into art and create wonderful rays of hope for those who live under the gaze of the highest peaks on earth,” the company added.

The centre has an interactive exhibition which includes digital touch screens where visitors can learn about climbing, culture and challenges of the regions, and VR headsets which allow people to walk the Khumbu icefall.

The film salon has two films and the Waste Lab has upcycling workshops where artists and designers can explore their innovative side. The centre also features a Shop by Moware and a café.

Sagarmatha Next supports Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and assists them in developing solutions for the waste challenges that the community faces.

Sagarmatha Next hopes to make locals and visitors aware of their environmental footprint and offer them an opportunity to be part of the solution, according to the company.

‘Carry me Back' is one such initiative where Sagarmatha Next and SPCC have worked together to create a crowd-sourced waste removal system which uses the movement of people to keep the national park clean.

Everyone is encouraged to take a 1kg bag of waste [which is packed and kept ready] on their way down from the mountain, the company said.

The inauguration ceremony was hosted by the non-profit distributing Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park.

Sonam Gyaltzen, member of Parliament, Arun Saraf of Saraf Foundation, Reinhold Messner, renowned mountain climber, Phurba Tashi Sherpa, a local climber with 21 Everest summits were the chief guests for the ceremony which was held on May 23.

Over 300 local people from across the Khumbu region attended the event.

Varun Saraf and Tommy Gustafsson, co-founders of Sagarmatha Next, were also present at the opening event.

The Saraf Foundation is the sponsor of Sagarmatha Next.

Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Dell Technologies, and the Denali Foundation are the partners.