Kedarnath, May 08, 2026: Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in collaboration with Healing Himalayas Foundation and supported by the district administration of Rudraprayag and the Urban Development Department of Uttarakhand, has operationalised a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kedarnath.
The facility has been established under the Himalayan Harmony Project to address waste management challenges in one of India’s high-altitude pilgrimage destinations. Kedarnath has faced issues related to waste accumulation, limited segregation, and logistical constraints due to its terrain.
Spread across 3,000 square feet, the MRF has a processing capacity of three tonnes per day and a storage capacity of up to 50 tonnes. It serves as a central hub for waste collection, segregation, and processing, supported by digital mapping of over 400 waste collection points in the region.
The initiative also includes awareness programmes, engagement with local businesses, and training of waste workers to improve segregation practices and operational efficiency.
Neeraj Kumar, Executive Officer of Nagar Panchayat Kedarnath, said, “The project brings greater structure, efficiency, and long-term sustainability to waste management operations in Kedarnath. It also creates livelihood opportunities for local waste workers, transporters, and associated stakeholders through training in waste handling, logistics, and digital monitoring systems. The initiative reflects the continued commitment of District Administration Rudraprayag and Nagar Panchayat Kedarnath towards preserving the ecological sensitivity and cleanliness of the sacred Himalayan region.”
Shri Vinod Goswami, Director - Urban Development Department, Uttarakhand, said, “Kedarnath’s MRF is a model for structured waste management. It demonstrates how technology and public-private collaboration can converge to protect fragile ecosystems. By reducing open dumping, the MRF redefines what responsible tourism can look like in Uttarakhand. We see strong potential for replicating this model across other high-footfall tourist destinations.”
Devyani Rajya Laxmi Rana, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, “Kedarnath’s MRF reflects how infrastructure, partnerships, and community participation can come together to address environmental challenges in fragile ecosystems. By enabling responsible collection, segregation, and processing of plastic waste through our recycling partners, the initiative aims to create a cleaner and more resilient ecosystem for local communities and visitors alike. More importantly, it is a collective step towards bringing ‘Mera Kedar, Swachh Kedar’ to life, in line with the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat mission.”
Pradeep Sangwan, Founder of Healing Himalayas Foundation, said, “To address the growing waste challenge in fragile mountain ecosystems, we began working towards establishing MRF centres in high-altitude regions with the support of local communities and administrations. Setting up a facility at this elevation came with its own set of logistical and climatic challenges, but with the support of Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we have been able to turn the vision of ‘Mera Kedar, Swachh Kedar’ into reality. The Kedarnath MRF stands as proof that such infrastructure can thrive even in the toughest terrains when purpose and partnership come together.”
The facility is equipped with a hydraulic baling unit and digital tracking systems to improve waste handling and reverse logistics. By compressing dry waste, it enables efficient transportation from high-altitude areas to processing locations in the foothills.
The project aims to provide a scalable model for waste management in environmentally sensitive and tourism-driven regions, especially as footfall increases during the Char Dham Yatra.
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