As the AP state government has decided to ban single-use plastic across the state from June 5 next year, it has decided to implement it in various phases region-wise. The process was initially started from the state secretariat in the capital Amaravati. The ban on single-use plastic will be implemented from Independence Day on August 15, said S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal and Urban Development Department.
He said that from that day, steps will be taken to ensure that no one, including employees, people or leaders, use plastic covers or items in the secretariat. To implement this effectively, an awareness program was organized with middle-level officials of all departments in the secretariat. He said that plastic covers are mixed with water sources and their residues enter the human body, resulting in cancer.
Suresh Kumar said that strict steps are being taken to ban the use of plastic for the protection of public health and environmental protection as per the orders of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He said that steel water bottles will be provided free of cost to the employees of the State Secretariat. He said that an R.O plant and a unit for sterilizing reusable glasses will be set up in every block of the Secretariat.
He advised that no one should bring plastic bottles from outside to the Secretariat. If anyone brings plastic bottles, they will be checked at the gate and removed. He said that stalls will be set up in the Secretariat to provide paper bags and steel water bottles at reasonable prices.
“As per the orders of CM Chandrababu, steps have been taken to ban single-use plastic across the state from June 5 next year. This program has already been running for 8 months. We are continuing with a theme every month” said Suresh Kumar.
“Presently, people are using plastic excessively. This is not a program that can be completed all at once. That is why we are planning in stages. As part of that, we are starting this process from August 15 at the State Secretariat”, he added.