In the context of burgeoning urbanisation in developing nations, improper solid waste management poses a dual threat by engendering environmental pollution and exacerbating public health risks. This research endeavours to scrutinise the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on solid waste management among households in Bharatpur Metropolis, Nepal. Employing a community-based cross-sectional study design, our investigation utilised a random sampling approach to enlist 385 households, utilising a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was executed via SPSS version 22, hinged on a summated scale to gauge the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Additionally, the Chi-square test was used to determine the association between respondents’ demographic attributes and their corresponding levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The distribution of knowledge levels shows that a very small number of respondents (4.42%) have average knowledge level, the subsequent majority (95.58%) have satisfactory knowledge level, and none are categorised as having poor knowledge. Attitude levels reveal that very few have poor attitudes (4.68%), the subsequent majority (95.32%) have satisfactory attitudes, and none have poor attitudes. In terms of practice level, 17.66% are categorised as poor practitioners, 82.34% demonstrate average practices, and none are categorised as satisfactory. These results highlight the prevalence of good knowledge and attitudes among the participants, with a significant majority displaying average practices in the Bharatpur Metropolis. Furthermore, data analysis indicated that respondents with a higher educational background exhibited high knowledge levels in solid waste management. Unexpectedly, the respondents with higher academic backgrounds found a low level of practice in solid waste management compared to the prescribed standards. The imperative for policy intervention is underscored, necessitating the formulation of targeted policies for solid waste management in the locale. Additionally, the findings of this research provide a valuable collection of insights for academicians, indicating that although they possess good knowledge and attitudes regarding solid waste management, their practices in urban settings are lacking.