I am Dr. Manu Karki, Founding CEO of Eco Sathi Nepal. It gives me immense pleasure to share my journey being a graduate of the first-ever cohort of Roots of Circularity (RoC), a program funded by the European Union and spearheaded by Impact Hub Association (IHA) in collaboration with Impact Hub Kathmandu (IH KTM) and Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) that aims to cultivate a Circular Economy (CE) ecosystem in Nepal. It’s been a life-changing experience, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of this amazing initiative.
I was already passionate about practicing a sustainable lifestyle. I started an eco-friendly business, Eco Sathi Nepal, and tried to make green choices in my everyday life. But what I’ve learned from the RoC Incubator Program has taken my understanding of sustainability to an entirely whole new level. Circularity is so much more than just using eco-friendly alternatives—it’s a complete shift in mindset. It’s about closing the loop—making sure the products we use don’t end up in landfills, but instead extending the product life cycle, for instance turning into fertilizer that helps the earth thrive. This shift has completely changed how I see sustainability, and I’m excited to keep learning and applying these lessons in the future.
Asking the right questions
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through this program is how to think about using products in a circular way. Before anything goes into waste, we should be asking, “Can this be turned into something useful?” That question alone has completely reshaped the way I think about sustainability. Throughout the course, I worked on a few really exciting projects. One of them was developing toothpaste tablets, and another was finding new ways to change the packaging of toothbrushes. But one thought, in particular, stood out to me: What if we could make these sustainable toothbrushes here in Nepal? I’m so thrilled to continue researching this idea because it could have a real impact on our local economy and the environment.
A personal and professional transformation
One of the biggest surprises for me during this program was the power of networking. I’ve always known that connections are important, but through the RoC Incubator Program, I’ve learned just how much we can achieve when we collaborate with others having a common shared vision. The relationships I’ve built during this program have been incredibly inspiring and supportive.
I’ll be honest, the end of the program was a bit emotional for me. As a mom, it can sometimes feel like there’s never enough time for everything. Between taking care of my family, running my business, and managing the day-to-day, I often felt like I wasn’t doing enough. But the time I spent as an incubatee of Bagmati Cohort 1, was my chance to recharge and focus on my personal growth. It was a space where I could truly be myself and bring out the best version of me, and that has made all the difference.
I’m so grateful for the Impact Hub Kathmandu RoC team and the support they’ve given us throughout this journey. This program wouldn’t have been possible without their guidance. You all pushed us to think outside the box, to work hard, and to never stop improving. For that, I am forever thankful.
