Solid Waste Management and Material Recovery Facility Planning in Leh-Ladakh, Western Himalaya

Abstract : Rapid urbanization, tourism growth, and changing consumption patterns have significantly increased solid waste generation in Leh Ladakh, a high-altitude cold desert region of India. This study examines the existing status of waste generation, segregation, and disposal practices in Leh, the largest town in Ladakh, and assesses the feasibility of establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Field-based inventory, secondary datasets, and the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Manual 2016 were used to estimate waste quantities and design MRF requirements. Results indicate that Leh generates approximately 13.02 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste, with 80% comprising dry waste and 20% wet waste. The dry fraction includes paper and cardboard (30%), tetra packs (20%), textiles (17%), PET (8%), and multilayer plastics (7%). Currently, segregation and limited recycling occur at a municipal facility powered by solar energy. However, the absence of a formal MRF, shortage of equipment, and lack of skilled manpower remain key challenges. The study proposes a manual MRF model suitable for <15 TPD, with an estimated operational cost of Rupees 3.06 lakh per annum. Establishing such a facility would improve recycling efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and promote sustainable waste management in this ecologically fragile Himalayan region.