AP Red Cross Society to unleash war on Single Use Plastic, Students to be enrolled as green warriors

GUNTUR: Alarmed with the grim situation, AP Red Cross Society has readied a massive programme ato unleash war on single-use plastic, with the aim of transforming the state into the first plastic-conscious state starting with Guntur.

This campaign addresses the growing environmental and civic challenges posed by disposable plastic waste through a comprehensive, multi-year program centred around student participation, institutional collaboration, and community engagement. "The campaign's primary objective is to mobilise over 50,000 students across 540 schools as green warriors under the Junior Red Cross banner. These students are being equipped with reusable alternatives, trained through structured awareness sessions, and guided to influence behavioural change within their households, schools, and surrounding communities," said P Ramachandra Raju, treasurer, AP Red Cross Society.

AP governor S Abdul Nazeer will formally kick-start the programme here on Tuesday, With 70 participating schools across guntur. The first batch of cloth bags will be distributed to 70 pilot schools. The campaign operates on a six-step execution model that includes student enrollment, education modules, habit tracking, waste collection, recognition, and systematic review. Each phase is supported by school coordinators and trained volunteers, ensuring continuity, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Strategic partners have been integral to the initiative. Magsmen Brand Consultants, led by Sandeep N, has shaped the campaign’s message architecture and positioning. SayWhat NGO, under the leadership of Neeraja, has led gender-inclusive student engagement efforts. Atoms Digital Solutions has deployed the digital infrastructure required for reporting, documentation, and volunteer coordination. Women’s College, Guntur, has contributed a dedicated pool of student volunteers for on-ground execution.

The campaign is being delivered without reliance on government grants. It is fully funded through Corporate Social Responsibility contributions and voluntary donations.

The annual estimated budget of ₹75 lakh is directed towards cloth bag distribution, volunteer training, content development, waste logistics, and monitoring systems. This campaign represents a replicable civic model, combining youth leadership, local partnerships, and clear operational design. The Red Cross Society is not only convening the initiative but providing ongoing institutional leadership to scale its outcomes and support adaptation in other districts. "Single-use plastic is one of the most visible and damaging consequences of modern convenience. What was once introduced as a solution has now become a deeply embedded civic hazard. It is not confined to industries or marketplaces. It exists in our daily decisions — the carry bag from the kirana shop, the water bottle at a bus stop, the food container discarded after one use," said Ramachandra Raju. The city of Guntur generates more than 17 metric tons of plastic waste every day. A significant portion of this is non-biodegradable and enters our soil, drains, and eventually, our food chain. Across India, the volume of mismanaged plastic is projected to exceed 7.4 million tons. These are not isolated figures. They reflect a systemic pattern of neglect that can no longer be ignored. Plastic is not the root cause. The deeper issue lies in human behaviour.

Over time, people have adopted a use-and-dispose mindset that treats plastic as an endless resource. The consequences of this pattern are visible in overflowing bins, polluted water bodies, and shrinking landfill capacities. The situation calls for a shift in mindset, not just a shift in materials. This campaign has been initiated to respond to that exact need. "It is not a symbolic cleanup. It is a structured and strategic movement aimed at replacing short-term convenience with long-term responsibility. The Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh chapter, is leading this effort with the objective of building a model for a plastic-responsible city," said Raju.Uprooting single use plastic