Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that plastic flexies were being banned in Andhra Pradesh from August 26 (Friday). Cloth flexies could be used but not the plastic ones as they would affect the environment, he said.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy was speaking during a programme organised to create awareness about plastic waste management at AU Convention Centre in Visakhapatnam.
“During my arrival to the venue, I have seen a number of flexies. Since I am coming to an event related to plastic pollution, I felt that I am sending a wrong message to the people by arranging plastic flexies. When I asked the Collector, he informed me that all the flexies were not of plastic and that there were cloth ones too,” he said.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said he was also informed that a plastic flexi would cost around ₹8 (per square foot) and that made of a cloth about ₹32. “Despite its cost, I request everyone to only use cloth flexies. This should be our first target in the fight against plastic,” he appealed.
He also recalled how the plastic ban being implemented at Tirumala had been yielding good results. The plastic ban should be followed in all parts of the State by involving the public, the Chief Minister said and stressed the need to create awareness and ensure availability of alternatives to plastic materials.
“Steps will be taken gradually to make Andhra Pradesh a plastic-free State by the end of 2027,” he said.
