Annamayya Collector urges educational institutions to transform into ‘zero-waste’ zones

District Collector Nishanth Kumar urged educational institutions across Annamayya district to transform their campuses into zero-waste centres.

Addressing a meeting with stakeholders, including the headmasters of government high schools and representatives of various private educational institutions, here on Sunday, the Collector urged them to adopt systematic waste management practices under the Swachh Andhra initiative.

The Collector said the State government has identified ‘Zero Waste Institutions’ as the theme for the month and directed schools, colleges, and offices to implement effective segregation and disposal mechanisms. Wet, dry, plastic, electronic, and hazardous waste must be separated at source to reduce environmental impact, he said.

Highlighting sector-specific concerns, Mr. Kumar noted that engineering institutions generate large volumes of e-waste, plastic bottles, and canteen waste, and should develop tailored management plans. Mr. Nishanth Kumar referred to Swachh Rath services in village panchayats, which collect plastic and electronic waste in exchange for incentives, urging citizens to utilise them.

The Collector stressed that cleanliness must become a daily habit rather than a one-day activity. Students were asked to spread awareness among families and communities.

Saplings were planted, and participants took a cleanliness pledge during the programme, which was attended by officials, faculty, and students.