The Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD) of Ladakh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project, Himank to repurpose plastic waste, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, for road construction. This initiative aims to tackle plastic waste, ensure scientific disposal, and generate revenue.
Under the agreement, processed plastic will be shredded into pellets of less than 5.2 mm, washed, and supplied to BRO for Rs 16 per kilogram to be used in road pavements. The plan also includes addressing multi-layered plastic and cardboard waste by partnering with local entrepreneurs. Ladakh generates 14 to 15 tonnes of waste daily in Leh and 9 to 10 tonnes in Kargil, with a 60:40 dry-to-wet waste ratio. Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) incineration is also part of the region’s broader waste management strategy.