Nepal is scrapping its 11-year-old waste deposit scheme on Mount Everest, saying it failed to reduce trash. Climbers had to pay $4,000 and could reclaim it only if they brought back at least 8kg of waste. But garbage still piles up, especially at higher camps. Himal Gautam, tourism director, told the BBC the scheme "failed to show a tangible result" and became "an administrative burden." Most deposit money was refunded, meaning climbers often removed trash from lower camps, but left tents, cans, and boxes higher up. Tshering Sherpa, CEO of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, said climbers produce about 12kg of waste each but only bring down oxygen bottles from higher camps. He added, "Apart from the checkpoint above the Khumbu Icefall, there is no monitoring of what climbers are doing." Nepal plans a new system: a non-refundable clean-up fee, likely $4,000, will fund a Camp Two checkpoint and mountain rangers to monitor trash removal from higher camps. This plan, part of a five-year mountain clean-up action plan, awaits parliament approval. Mingma Sherpa of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality said the new fee creates a fund for cleanup and monitoring, unlike before. Jaynarayan Acarya, tourism ministry spokesperson, called it a step to "immediately address the pressing problem of waste" on Everest. An estimated 50 tonnes of waste, including human excrement that does not decay due to freezing temperatures, mar the world's highest peak. The growing number of climbers—about 400 per year plus support staff—adds to waste concerns and sustainability challenges.