KATHMANDU
Conquering Trash Mountain
The world generates 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 percent of that not managed in an environmentally safe manner. We know that, just like many other industries, fashion is contributing to this global landfill. We also know that the BioDown technology can be used to start reducing these numbers right now.
In India, just outside of Delhi, you’ll find the Ghazipur Trash Mountain - a 65 meter high, 70 acre wide, trash landfill. It’s a physical and environmental blot on the landscape, one which should make all of us consider what we’re doing to the planet.
We’ll film the world’s most famous mountaineer, kitted out in the Kathmandu BioDown jacket, as he attempts to climb the trash mountain. The finished film will highlight our roles in creating waste and look at the ways humans can make better choices, like BioDown, to reduce our global waste.
To launch the Kathmandu BioDown jacket in Europe, we’ll partner with Vice to create a first of its kind ‘Out There’ documentary featuring, the world's most famous mountaineer, Nirmal Purja. Wearing an ultra-durable bespoke BioDown Jacket, we’ll see Nirmal attempt to reach the summit of the Ghazipur Trash Mountain.
Our metaphorical documentary - Conquering Trash Mountain - will encompass the new and unique challenges of traversing this ugly wasteland. We’ll see, up close, the lasting effects of our waste on our natural environment.
During the doco, we’ll ask local experts to give Nirmal tips on how to reach the summit, avoiding all the dangerous pitfalls, we’ve created, along the way. We’ll also interview climate and sustainability experts, asking for their advice on how everyone can conquer their own ‘trash mountains’.
Viewers will be left in no doubt that the advanced BioDown tech holds the biodegradable key to reducing our fashion waste, in the future. And the fact, that only an Out There company like Kathmandu could have pulled off this quirky film.
Before Nirmal Purja can make his attempt on the summit of the Ghazipur Trash Mountain, he’ll need to get in some practice.
Before he arrives in India, Nirmal, like any great mountaineer, will get into training.
He could start out on climbing walls made out of waste: old syringes, used nappies, discarded clothing and plastic bottles etc.
Then Nirmal can step up his prep by speaking to medical and safety experts about what he can expect on trash mountain. Perhaps he’ll need to train on a treadmill wearing a gas mask to escape the noxious fumes he’ll encounter.
Like any expedition, he’ll have to find the best route, so we’ll also see him talking to locals who’ll explain the dangers if he doesn’t follow exactly the right route up, helping him plot it on a map.
It’s entertainingly daunting and dramatic - what he’s about to do is pretty out there.
To unlock a discount to the jacket, consumers will download a browser plugin. After entering some personal details such as age and location, the model will display their environmental impact so far.
As they browse commerce sites the model will give them information on the environmental impact of that organisation and in some instances about the specific product.
The more purchases made of low impact products or organizations, the more Kathmandu points are earned, which can be used against products. After purchase your total environment impacted data is updated.