Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu advocates elimination of single-use plastic from daily life

Projecting the single-use plastic as a demon that can potentially harm the earth, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has advocated the need for its elimination from our daily lives.

Addressing the public on ‘Swarnandhra Swacchandra’, at the Praja Vedika conducted here on Saturday, Mr. Naidu explained how the micro plastic entered the food chain and further into the human body, potentially impacting the health of every living being on earth.

“Our government is committed to the ‘No Plastic’ slogan. Even burning plastic releases fumes that not only harm the environment but also cause respiratory disorders. We will ban plastic less than 120 microns, such as cups and plates,” he said.

Explaining the elimination schedule in a phased manner, the Chief Minister said the single-use plastic would be stamped out of the State Secretariat by Independence Day (August 15), and the same would be shown the door from 17 Municipal Corporations by Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).

While calling it a sacred movement, Mr. Naidu appealed to the public to join hands with the government to help in its smooth implementation. “A global holy destination such as Tirupati should lead by example and be the guiding light for the rest of the State,” he remarked.

Circular economy

Mr. Naidu explained that the State was planning to surge ahead in the direction of circular economy, hinting at the need to reuse and recycle the resources.

Referring to the industrial park developed in a whopping 300 acres at Thukivakam integrated waste processing centre, he narrated the process of converting wet waste into compost and biogas, and the process of making discarded plastic into granules.

“We are generating 9,000 tonnes of garbage collectively from 123 local bodies per day — 5,500 tonnes dry waste and 3,500 tonnes wet waste. The previous government has left behind 86 lakh tonnes of waste, which will be removed by October 2,” the Chief Minister said.

Renewing his appeal to the public not to litter in public places, Mr. Naidu asked them to emulate Japan, where the roads were considered as sacred as their homes.