Nandyal district administration has launched a novel initiative of people getting essential commodities in exchange for plastic waste. This is part of the efforts of the district administration to put a check on the use of plastic and achieve the ‘Clean Nandyal’ goal.

Minority Welfare Minister N. Md. Farooq and District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya inaugurated a ‘Waste Plastic Exchange Centre’ in the town as part of the ‘Swarna Andhra-Swachh Andhra’ programme on Saturday. The citizens can deposit plastic waste at the centre and get essential commodities in exchange.

Citizens who deposit 1 kg of plastic at the centre will receive either 1 kg of sugar or 1 kg of vermicelli or six eggs as an incentive, Mr Farooq said, adding that the initiative would also help the poor who collect garbage such as plastic and paper.

Burning plastic covers or dumping them in open spaces will lead to severe environmental damage, the Minister said. Mr. Farooq and Ms. Ganiya also took part in a sanitation drive in the Gandhi Chowk market area.

Expressing concern over drainage canals getting clogged, he warned that surveillance would be maintained using CCTV cameras and fines would be imposed against those who dump garbage indiscriminately into drains.

The Collector said that 16 phases of the programme, each focusing on various themes, have been organised, and the 17th phase is focused on the checking the single-use plastic.