ONGOLE: The Ongole Municipal Corporation (OMC), in collaboration with ITC company along with the AGES and SARDS NGOs, has launched a joint initiative to promote public awareness on waste management, sanitation and cleanliness.
The ‘Well-being Out of Waste’ (WoW) programme of the OMC, which began on November 1, is being implemented by 30 Swachh Mitra activists who are educating residents across the limits of the OMC.
So far, volunteers have visited 8,000 households, creating awareness on proper disposal and clearance of household waste. The OMC Commissioner held a review meeting with the WoW–Swachh Mitra volunteers and directed them to speed up efforts to inculcate good sanitation and hygiene practices among the public to achieve the goal of a ‘Clean Ongole.’
ITC, AGES and SARDS have come forward to promote sanitation and cleanliness across all 50 divisions of the OMC.
Swachh Mitra volunteers have been conducting door-to-door visits in their respective municipal wards, explaining the importance of cleanliness in residential areas.
“Our Swachh Mitra volunteers are visiting every household in their allotted wards and explaining the importance of sanitation and cleanliness. Though some residents were initially reluctant, most are now coming forward to use wet and dry dustbins and avoid single-use plastic bags. It is yielding good results,” OMC Sanitary Supervisor Babji said.
OMC Commissioner K Venkateswara Rao said, “From January, 2026 onwards, the Municipal Sanitation staff will collect the Dry Waste of the households only twice in a week that is, on Wednesday and Sunday. In the remaining 5 days, the sanitation staff will collect the wet household waste only.
Through Swachh Mitra volunteers and Green Ambassadors, we will inform all residents a month in advance regarding this change in waste-collection schedules. We are also focusing on creating awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastic carry bags and promoting the use of cloth bags instead.”
OMC Commissioner K Venkateswara Rao said, “From January, 2026 onwards, the Municipal Sanitation staff will collect the Dry Waste of the households only twice in a week that is, on Wednesday and Sunday. In the remaining 5 days, the sanitation staff will collect the wet household waste only.
Through Swachh Mitra volunteers and Green Ambassadors, we will inform all residents a month in advance regarding this change in waste-collection schedules. We are also focusing on creating awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastic carry bags and promoting the use of cloth bags instead.”