Single use plastic wreaking havoc

Sanath Nagar: Swachhta Hi Seva initiative with the theme of 'Plastic Waste Shramdaan' was organised at Telangana State Pollution Control Board head office here on Wednesday, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. Public representatives, schoolchildren and all board employees participated in the drive.

"Single use plastic should be curbed completely. It is the main reason for choking of drains and rivers. Now-a-days we see single-use plastic being used almost in everything, be it cups, plates, spoons, etc. If we all take up the initiative to curb it, in coming years we can remove it completely," said Rajeshwar Tewari, the Special Chief Secretary (Environment, Forest and Science & Technology).

Tewari also gave a call to the people to follow the principle of reduce, reuse and recycle to curb the use of plastic. Later, he flagged off an auto rally, followed by the launch of plastic recycle app. Plastic Shramdaan was conducted by NGOs and about 150 participants keeping in with the motto of 'Swachtha Hi Seva.'

V Anil Kumar, Member Secretary, TSPCB, stressed the need to shun single-use plastic completely and promote jute and cloth bags. Anil Kumar Reddy, the plastic manufacturers association president, and Chief Environmental Engineer Vishwanatham and other employees of TSPCB also participated in the programme.