Two cities, one crisis: The plastic puzzle Kathmandu and Nairobi cannot solve

Large number of accumulated plastic bags and plastic packaging of household waste in garbage containers. [Courtesy/iStock]

From the winding streets of Kathmandu's Thamel district to the bustling alleys of Nairobi's River Road, one persistent issue unites these cities over 6,000 kilometres apart: plastic bags.

Despite legislation, bans, and numerous public campaigns, thin, translucent polythene bags-mostly in shades of blue and black-continue to dominate daily life, packaging everything from groceries and snacks to fruit and takeout.