The Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh on 1st March 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Project Himank (Border Roads Organisation (BRO)) for a period of three years, to produce and provide plastic waste to be used for pavement and road construction.
Signed by the Director, Rural Development Department (UT of Ladakh) and the Chief Engineer, Project Himank, the initiative is expected to utilize non-biodegradable plastic waste in Ladakh gainfully. The cooperation will increase economic opportunities and help reduce environmental pollution and plastic waste.
The terms and conditions of the collaboration stipulate that the administration of Ladakh through the Rural Development Department will provide plastic waste as per the specifications and quantities required by Project Himank and dispatch the same when required. In return, payment will be made to Ladakh through a standard and transparent payment mechanism as mutually agreed upon.
According to the MoU, the initial requirement would be 2 MT of plastic waste of 5.2mm or less size, duly cleaned. Based on the feedback of the first lot, additional plastic may be procured.
A committee comprising a representative from the Rural Development Department (Ladakh); a representative from Project Himank, and another, neutrally agreed upon by both parties will ensure the effective functioning and coordination of the project.
Research indicates that only thermoplastic materials are to be utilized for the construction of roads, examples of which are listed below. Only plastic conforming to LDPE, HDPE, PET, and Polyurethane will be used in pavement construction and not PVC-based plastic.
| Plastic Waste | Origin |
| Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | Carry bags, sacks, milk pouches, bin lining, cosmetic and detergent bottles |
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Carry bags, bottle caps, household articles, etc. |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) | Drinking water bottles, etc. |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Bottle caps and closures, wrappers of detergent, biscuit and wafer packets, microwave trays for readymade meal, etc. |
| Polystyrene (PS) | Yogurt pots, clear egg packs, bottle caps, foamed polystyrene: food trays, egg boxes, disposal cups, protective packaging, etc. |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Mineral water bottles, credit cards, toys, pipes and gutters, electrical fittings, furniture, folders and pens, medical disposals, etc. |
An amount of Rs. 69 will be paid per kg of plastic waste which includes the cost of collection, segregation, and receipt in bulk and forwarding to recycles receiver.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 