GVMC Urges Awareness to Ban Single-Use Plastic
By : Aruna
Update: 2025-01-10 16:32 GMT
VISHAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has called on social media influencers and residents to embrace alternative products following a ban on single-use plastic items within the city. GVMC additional commissioner R. Somannarayana emphasised the critical need for eco-friendly alternatives, stating, “It is essential for social media influencers to engage in creating extensive awareness among the public and traders while embracing their social responsibility.”
A review meeting held at the GVMC headquarters on Friday saw the participation of social media influencers alongside GVMC chief medical officer Dr E.N.V. Naresh Kumar. During the session, Somannarayana reiterated the importance of increasing public awareness through social media platforms to support the ban’s implementation.
He highlighted that many environmentally responsible products are readily available in the city as substitutes for single-use plastics. Contact information for traders supplying these alternatives has already been disseminated to all shopkeepers. He pointed out that certain cups marketed as paper cups contain a plastic lining, urging influencers to promote sustainable materials such as steel, glass, ceramic, paper, cloth, and linen.
Somannarayana also announced the formation of a WhatsApp group that will include social media influencers. He warned that legal action would be taken against influencers who post videos or photographs of shopkeepers using plastic items within the group. This initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastic products in the city, with GVMC seeking the collaboration of social media influencers to drive a comprehensive campaign against the use of banned plastics.