Andhra Pradesh targets clearance of 1.15 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste by year-end

VIJAYAWADA:

Andhra Pradesh has embarked on an ambitious mission to eliminate over 1.15 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste by the end of this year, turning reclaimed land into productive use through a circular economy model.

Speaking on the second day of the District Collectors’ Conference in Amaravati on Tuesday (September 16),  Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, S. Suresh Kumar announced that 85.90 lakh metric tonnes of old waste dumps would be cleared by October 2, 2025, and an additional 30 lakh metric tonnes by December 2025. The recovered soil will be processed into compost, while Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) will be supplied to cement factories.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress of Swachh Andhra Corporation, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Municipal & Urban Development, Pollution Control Board, and the Forest Department under the theme “Swachh Andhra, Swachh Bharat & Circular Economy.” He emphasised the State’s commitment to cleanliness, sustainability, and resource efficiency.

Alongside legacy waste clearance, Waste-to-Energy projects are expanding across the State. Plants in Visakhapatnam and Guntur are already operational, converting hundreds of tonnes of municipal waste into power daily. New projects are planned in Nellore, Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Kadapa, Vijayawada, and Tirupati, with six expected to be fully functional by 2027.

The government is also strengthening integrated waste management through 72 ISWM clusters, supported by 417 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in rural areas and 108 urban projects. Construction and demolition waste plants are being revived in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati, while poultry waste management initiatives are in the pipeline. In addition, 142 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being set up on 199 acres to ensure treated water is reused safely and sustainably.

Recalling the State’s national recognition in Swachh Survekshan 2024, Mr. Suresh Kumar said that Andhra Pradesh is committed to adopting the circular economy model to promote environmental protection, optimal land use, and job creation.

As a model for best practices, the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat was declared Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Free on August 15, 2025, with all collectorates and government offices directed to achieve SUP-Free status by December this year.