GVMC conducts awareness drive against single-use plastics

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation organised an awareness programme at MVP Rythu Bazaar on Monday as part of its campaign to curb the use of single-use plastics and promote eco-friendly alternatives in the city.

The programme, titled “Let Us Use Cloth Bags”, was conducted under the directions of GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg. GVMC Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. E.N.V. Naresh Kumar, along with AMOH B. Prasada Rao and Sanitary Supervisor Satyanarayana, participated in the event.

Sanitation workers and sanitary secretaries distributed cloth bags to shoppers, traders, and consumers at the market and created awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment and public health.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Naresh Kumar said single-use plastic bags contribute significantly to pollution and contaminate water bodies and land resources. He urged the public to adopt reusable cloth bags for daily shopping and support efforts aimed at making Visakhapatnam plastic-free.

He appealed to citizens to extend their cooperation to the civic body’s cleanliness and plastic control initiatives and actively participate in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 rankings process.

Officials said the awareness drive was intended to encourage sustainable lifestyle practices and strengthen public participation in environmental protection measures.