SYDNEY: Nepali-born environmental professional Alina Tamrakar Maskey has spent more than two decades promoting sustainable living and environmental conservation in Australia, believing that waste should be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a problem.
Currently working in Sydney as a Senior Project Officer in Waste and Resource Management for a local council, Alina has dedicated the past 13 years to helping communities reduce waste, improve recycling practices and adopt environmentally responsible habits.
Her role includes developing waste reduction strategies, promoting proper waste separation, managing organic waste programs, and delivering environmental education initiatives. She also works closely with other local councils and state government agencies to improve waste management policies and community engagement.
Australian households are typically provided with two or three separate bins by their local councils—one for recyclable materials, one for food and garden organics, and another for general waste. Waste is collected on scheduled days, with recyclable materials sent to recycling facilities and organic waste processed into compost.
Originally from Lalitpur, Nepal, Alina completed her schooling before studying Biology at NIST College and later earning a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from St. Xavier's College. She began her career in Nepal with a non-government organisation focused on waste management, where she gained firsthand experience addressing Kathmandu Valley's waste challenges and delivered environmental education programs in more than 50 schools.
Her passion for environmental education later led her to an international NGO before receiving an Australian Government scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Environmental Science in Australia in 2004. After completing her studies, she returned to Nepal as required under the scholarship program before relocating permanently to Australia with her husband in 2007.
Like many migrants, Alina initially found it difficult to secure work in her professional field and started in the food manufacturing industry. She continued volunteering in environmental projects, completed additional training and gradually built local experience before joining the private sector and eventually securing a position with local government.
Beyond her full-time role, Alina is a passionate advocate for sustainable living. Through workshops, community programs and social media, she promotes zero-waste lifestyles, composting, natural cleaning methods, plastic-free living and the circular economy. She also remains actively engaged in discussions about improving waste management practices in Nepal.
"I have not thrown a single piece of waste out of my home," Alina says. "What we call waste is actually a resource if it is managed properly."
She believes environmental protection should not rely solely on government policies but become part of everyday life.
"If we educate people properly, we can change behaviour. Protecting the environment starts at home and with the choices we make every day," she said.
