Nandyal starts plastic free food initiative at PGRS

Collector Rajakumari Ganiya launches ‘plastic-free’ lunch program by serving food in steel plates instead of plastic-coated plates to the public attending the PGRS at the Collectorate in Nandyal on Monday. | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT

Collector Rajakumari Ganiya on Monday launched a ‘plastic free’ lunch program for people participating in the Public Grievance Redressal Forum (PGRS) held every Monday at the Collectorate.

People from far places in the district visit the Collectorate on Mondays to submit petitions to higher officials and the district administration serves food to the visitors to the Collectorate to submit petitions. Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya said that they have started the ‘Plastic Free’ lunch program as part of their aim to transform Nandyal into a plastic free district and appealed to the citizens to become partners in achieving this goal.

The collector said they are taking several measures aimed at eliminating single-use plastics. She said that nearly 400 to 450 people from different parts of the district visit the Collectorate every Monday to express their concerns at PGRS. As the citizens visit the PGRC irrespective of the weather conditions, for their convenience, the administration has set up a reception desk where their complaints are received and forwarded to the officials for redressal.

In collaboration with Red Cross Society, Kashinayana Ashram and Nandyal Municipality, the administration will also facilitate mid-day meals for people visiting the Collectorate every Monday.

Until now, meals were served on leaf plates lined with thin plastic foil. As part of environmentally friendly initiatives and for the future elimination of single-use plastics, 400 steel sheets and a similar number of steel glasses were introduced with the help of the municipality.

On this occasion, the Collector also announced the establishment of a “Bank of Steel Plates and Steel Glasses” within the boundaries of the municipality. Individuals can use this steel utensil for weddings, auspicious ceremonies and community gatherings by paying a nominal rental fee. Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya appealed to function hall organisers, social organizations and the general public to reduce plastic consumption, encourage the use of steel utensils and actively participate in making the district a ‘plastic free’ zone.

Published – 18 May 2026 19:34 IST