Andhra Pradesh has initiated a significant waste management program, targeting the elimination of over 1.15 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste by December 2025. This effort includes a phased approach, with 85.90 lakh metric tonnes slated for clearance by October 2, 2025, and an additional 30 lakh metric tonnes by the end of the year.
The core objective is to reclaim land for productive utilization, integrating a circular economy model. A review of progress, led by Chandrababu Naidu, involved multiple departments including Swachh Andhra Corporation, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Municipal & Urban Development, Pollution Control Board, and the Forest Department, all operating under the theme “Swachh Andhra, Swachh Bharat & Circular Economy.”
The state’s strategy encompasses the expansion of Waste-to-Energy projects, with existing operational plants in Visakhapatnam and Guntur. Furthermore, integrated waste management is being strengthened through 72 ISWM clusters, 417 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in rural areas, and 108 urban projects. Initiatives also include the revival of construction and demolition waste plants in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati, alongside upcoming poultry waste management programs, aiming to foster environmental protection, optimal land use, and job creation.
Source: www.thehindu.com