GNN : Over two tons of trash have been removed from Mount Everest thanks to the efforts of the Nepal Army.

The soldiers worked with government and non-government organizations over the course of 5 days to collect all of the rubbish and debris left behind by climbers.

The crew flew in over 2.5 tons of tools and resources to facilitate the cleanup. All of the biodegradable debris that was collected from the mountain – which amounted to roughly one ton of refuse – is being transported to Kathmandu for disposal by the Blue Waste to Value group. The other ton of non-biodegradable trash is now being disinfected for treatment.

he initiative was part of the 24th annual Wildlife Week, which is organized by the regional Sagarmatha National Park Office.

The cleanup will continue throughout the Himalayan mountain range until May 19th, according to a Nepali Army press release.

“We take pride in Mount Everest but we are often accused of not being able to clean it… We have now come together to clean the mountain,” said Dandu Raj Ghimire, chief of Nepal’s tourism department, according to CTV News.