The world travel and tourism industry have been a vital GDP growth driver for many countries around the world, while it has brought in benefits in various forms beyond just revenue and economic growth, travel and tourism has also been facing bigger issues and concerns in the areas of sustainability and wastage. Mount Everest is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world, nearly 80,000 visitors make the pilgrimage each year to fulfil their dreams and push their limits. This also brings about another issue – they leave approximately 250 tons of waste each year. Dell Technologies supports Sagarmatha Next Centre to raise awareness of plastic waste issue on Mount Everest, part of Dell’s commitment and alignment to accelerate the circular economy.
Although I usually publish technology related news on my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog and I have been regularly covering Dell Technologies news for a period of time on their consumer products and most recently enterprise solutions. For this story, I am writing it here since I cover travel, tourism, environment and sustainability topics here on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog.
Sustainability has been one of the key areas that I am covering on. My love for travel photography great outdoors since my secondary school days, working with organisations in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, coupled with my photography (National Geographic inspired) and visual storytelling in my adult years, gave me a voice that we all can, and we all must play a part in the sustainability drive to turn things around for the world, for our future generations, no matter how big or how small my role or your role can be.
Sagarmatha Next Centre
The Sagarmatha Next Centre, a non-profit NGO run by local environmental enthusiasts. Located near Syangboche Namche Bazar, en-route to Everest base camp, the centre educates visitors about this growing environmental issue and seeks to reduce the impact of waste.
The Sagarmatha Next Centre is located at 3,775m above sea level, this is a must-stop location for visitors along Mount Everest trail. This provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the organisation’s effort for every climber who passes through.
For this project, Dell Technologies worked with National Geographic Explorer Martin Edstrom to create a short video showing the negative impacts of waste on the region. The next step was to provide the Sagarmatha Next Centre with cutting-edge technology to showcase the video and offer additional opportunities to enhance the experience through virtual reality, interactive screens and video projectors.
How Sagarmatha Next Centre uses Dell Technologies’ technology?
How does the Sagarmatha Next Centre uses Dell Technologies’ technology to help raise awareness on the issue of plastic waste on Mount Everest?
- Digital exhibition. Visitors can explore and digitally experience every inch of the facility before continuing their trek.
- Map of region and common tracks. Visitors can view the 17 different hiking routes that lead to the Mount Everest base camp and other destinations in the four main valleys of the region.
- Education on landfills. Visitors can learn about where the more than 80 landfill sites reside in the Mount Everest region and what can be done to lessen the trash issue.
Powered by Dell Technologies
Powered by an OptiPlex Micro Form Factor PC, the Dell 55 4K Interactive Touch Monitors being used boast a twenty-point InGlassTM Touch and palm rejection technology, which allows multiple visitors to interact with the screens simultaneously. The monitors come with In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel technology, delivering consistent colours and a wide viewing angle – ideal for group education, even during midday when the bright sun streams in at this high altitude.
For many visitors who trek to the Everest base camp and may not make the climb to the 8,850- meter-high summit, there is also a VR experience Edstrom created that brings the mountain peak directly to them, powered and created on Dell Precision mobile workstations.
Sagarmatha Next’s Carry Me Back
Dell Technologies support goes beyond just providing technology, they extends into donation for Sagarmatha Next’s Carry Me Back initiative.
As visitors leave the centre, they are encouraged to take what they have learned and be a part of the change, the solution for a new future. This Carry Me Back initiative provides visitors the opportunity to remove trash and deposit it in collection bins that are transported to and recycled in Kathmandu.
Through this initiative, the organisation has successfully removed more than 5,000 bags os trash, or 5,000kg of waste, from Mount Everest, with much of it recycled, since the programme started in April 2022.
For more information about Dell Technologies Sustainability and Education
Passionate about sustainability and education, Dell Technologies’ support of Sagarmatha Next showcases there are no limits to where sustainability, education and technology can take us.
If you like to learn more about Dell Technologies’ commitment to sustainability, please visit this article.
* Information and pictures courtesy of Dell Technologies and BCW *