In an attempt create awareness among people on plastic pollution, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) distributed cloth bags free of cost to consumers at MVP Colony Rythu Bazaar on Sunday.

The APPCB, in association with the Visakh Refinery of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), organised the programme. APPCB Joint Chief Environmental Engineer N.V. Bhaskara Rao explained about the possible health hazards having their roots in plastic pollution.

“In the absence of proper segregation, plastic wastes mixed with household garbage clog drains and contaminate the groundwater resources,” he said .

Environmental Engineer R. Lakshminarayana appealed to consumers not to use plastic carry bags and use cloth or jute bags instead. In total, 5,000 cloth bags were distributed to customers.