The Mt. Everest Bio Gas Project Healing the Human Impact

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Every year, climbers and tourists leave over 22,803 kgs of human waste at the base of Mt. Everest. Porters carry this waste down from Base Camp to the nearest village, Gorak Shep (5164m), where they dump it into rivers and pits that leech into the glacial melt that feeds their homeland, the Khumbu Valley. The Mt. Everest Biogas Project partnered with local government to solve this hazard that threatens the health and tourist economy of the valley. It proposes a biogas digester that will treat the waste and provide amenities to the village, particularly the porters who bear the climbers’ loads. It will preserve clean water and produce electricity, fertilizer for growing, and methane gas for cooking. The passive, cold-climate digester will be a prototype for waste treatment at high altitude settlements around the world. YOUR SUPPORT DIRECTLY BENEFITS THE HEALTH AND ECONOMY OF THE SHERPA PEOPLE LIVING IN THE KHUMBU VALLEY The Mt. Everest Biogas Project (MEBP) partnered with local government to solve this hazard that threatens the health and tourist economy of the valley. After completion, MEBP will turn ownership over to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) for local oversight and operation. Waste Treatment Below Freezing Solutions for the Planet and Community Prosperity The Mt. Everest Biogas Project treats human waste organically, with low-tech, off-the-shelf components. Anaerobic digesters are common in Nepal, but not at high altitudes because the bacteria need warmth (10C) to effectively treat harmful pathogens. The project proposes housing a “teapot” digester in a shelter with a passive-house envelope and southern glazing for heat gain. Stone and water tanks provide thermal mass.

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The project is 100% off-grid. Solar PVs and batteries provide supplemental heat in the winter, but provide the porters and village with electricity in the high seasons. Methane, a greenhouse gas, is a bi product of the bio digestion, and it can be burned as cooking fuel by the porters. The effluent produced fertilizes new growing fields with greenhouses, where food is grown for porters’ yaks above 4000m for the first time.

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Transportation of materials and labor is a major cost and consideration for the design. Stone, sand and trash insulation can be produced on site. Other materials need to be carried by foot or yak at least 48 km. Therefore, the design minimizes the use of concrete and large structural parts. Roof trusses are site-assembled of small steel angles. Windows are site-built of small wood pieces and small glass panes, easily replaceable.

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The innovation of the Biogas Project is solving the problem of keeping the anaerobic digester warm. The shelter is designed to collect heat from the sun and insulate the digester from the elements. Shutters, insulation, and solar-powered batteries will keep the operating temperature above 10 degrees C, even when the temperatures outside drop below freezing

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Who We Are

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Scientists, Engineers, Architects, Academics, Sherpa Community Members, Government Officials, Climbers, Environmentalists

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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

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The project team is 100% volunteer, meaning nearly 100% of all donations go toward the project and Khumbu economy.

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Project expenses go toward all aspects of construction and operation, including porting materials, local workforce, equipment, operation, training, and technical support from an international team of experts.

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Account Name: Mt. Everest Biogas Project

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Bank Account Details available on request: info@mounteverestfoundation.org

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UK Address: 30 Downfield Lodge, Downfield Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2TQ, ENGLAND Tel: +44(0)7810375400

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US Address: Box 1454, Olympia, WA, 98507, USA Tel: +13605700715 Text, WhatsApp, SMS: +13602503407

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Thank You from www.MountEverestToiletProblem.org Team