AP to turn plastic waste into value-added materials, pilot project to be launched soon

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said a pilot project to manufacture value-added materials from garbage will start soon. It is part of the implementation of eco-friendly methods for sustainable growth. Jagan held a meeting with the representatives of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet (GASP) on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister said the pilot project should be linked with Jagananna Swachha Sankalpam programme to clean up the beaches. He commended the collecting and recycling of plastic waste and added that a clear mechanism is in place in the state for the collection of garbage. The state government has been seriously looking into recycling and reusing non-biodegradable materials and the experience of GASP should be used in this regard, he added.

GASP representative, a renowned international designer and founder of Parley for the Oceans Cyrill Gutsch, gave a presentation to the Chief Minister on plastic waste removal and recycling. He expressed concern over the pollution of oceans due to plastic waste and said it is important to recycle it and also follow environmentally-friendly policies in the process. He said only nine per cent of 150 million tonnes of single-use plastic products are being recycled and the remaining is a cause of concern. He said turning plastic waste into value-added products using eco-friendly methods would pave the way for a new economy.

He explained to the Chief Minister the process of preparing building construction materials, furniture, clothes, shoes, and other various value-added products from plastic waste.

RBK's playing a vital role

The Chief Minister said the state government has set up 10,777 Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) and a kiosk has been arranged in each RBK. He added that agriculture and horticulture assistants are also working from there and seeds and fertilisers are being supplied through RBKs. Every crop is being recorded online, e-cropped, and geo-tagged so that government subsidies and crop compensations reach the beneficiaries.

Jagan said RBKs have been playing a vital role and added that they will become centres for natural farming in the future.

He said there is a need to strengthen RBKs and encourage hiring centres for natural farming. "Natural farming methods should not be confined to labs and they should be made available to farmers and encouraged in every village across the state," he said.

He said there is a need to fix the remunerative prices of natural farming products. The difference between the prices of regular farming and natural farming products should be clearly seen, he said, and added that natural farming products should be certified.

The state government is looking to set up a university for natural farming, Jagan said. Regarding eco-tourism, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to prepare plans to provide employment opportunities to locals.

Cover photo credits: Srikanth Mannepuri