To encourage participation, the chief minister announced awards to be presented on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October, for panchayats and individuals excelling in waste management.
Published May 16, 2025 | 8:38 AM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2025 | 8:38 AM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Synopsis: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to analyse Rajasthan’s circular economy practices and adopt the best ones for Andhra Pradesh. He emphasised efficient household waste collection, converting wet waste into compost, and channelling dry waste to designated agencies.
The Andhra Pradesh government is coming out with a policy on circular economy to optimise the use of scarce natural resources through sustainable practices. The policy will focus on reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling materials, shifting from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model to a closed-loop system.
At a review meeting on Thursday, 15 May, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to analyse Rajasthan’s circular economy practices and adopt the best ones for Andhra Pradesh. The key focus of the state’s policy will be efficient waste management, with an action plan to transform all villages into clean habitations. Unlike the conventional “use and dump” approach, the policy will prioritise recycling waste to maximise its utility.
The chief minister outlined a framework for the circular economy, emphasising efficient household waste collection, converting wet waste into compost, and channelling dry waste to designated agencies. Tenders will be issued next month to engage agencies for this purpose. Besides, Naidu proposed involving women from self-help groups (DWCRA) in converting wet waste into compost at the local level.
To streamline waste management, 52 waste management clusters will be established across the state — one at each mandal headquarters and two in every district — for sorting and selling waste to relevant agencies. Naidu strictly prohibited panchayats from dumping garbage on roads.
To encourage participation, the chief minister announced awards to be presented on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October, for panchayats and individuals excelling in waste management. He set a target for the system to be fully operational by then, stating, “Our goal is zero waste. Develop an action plan to implement this in every panchayat.”
He asked the Panchayat Raj Department to collaborate with Swachh Andhra Pradesh and the Pollution Control Board and suggested exploring electric vehicles for waste collection. Naidu also reviewed the progress of waste-to-energy plants in Nellore, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, and Kurnool.
Official sources claim that Andhra Pradesh will be implementing circular economy practices through initiatives like Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF), e-waste recycling, solid waste management, clean energy policies, and sustainable industrial practices, aligned with the reduce-reuse-recycle model. These efforts are supported by policies like the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy 4.0.
Compared to Rajasthan where circular economy practices in several sectors are yielding results, Andhra Pradesh has more structured agricultural programs, such as the scalable APCNF, and advanced tech-driven waste management initiatives. While Rajasthan’s mining and tourism sectors emphasise circular practices, Andhra Pradesh’s e-waste facilities, eco-park plans, and renewable energy policies — with specific targets for solar, wind, and battery storage — are more ambitious, sources said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
