TTD mulls expansion of recycling machines in Tirumala

In a significant push towards protection of environment in Tirumala, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary on Thursday conducted a comprehensive review on the proposed expansion of recycling machines.

The meeting brought together key officials to assess the progress of the pilot project and chart the next phase of implementation.

Mr. Chowdary noted that the Reklaim Deposit Refund Machines installed on an experimental basis at Pilgrim Amenities Complex -5 (PAC-5) in September had received an overwhelming response from devotees. Encouraged by the positive feedback, he directed officials to identify strategic locations across the town for setting up additional machines on a trial basis.

Emphasising the growing challenge of waste management atop the hill shrine, he underscored that the machines would play a vital role in preventing Tetrapak and tin beverage containers from being discarded indiscriminately.

By enabling devotees to deposit used containers directly into the automated units in exchange for refunds, the cleanliness standards could be significantly augmented, he said, and appealed to local traders and Tetrapak dealers to actively promote awareness among their peers.

Stating that Swachh Tirumala must evolve into a collective civic movement, he instructed officials to launch an extensive awareness campaign on the utility of the recycling machines and expedite the installation of more units at high-footfall zones.