CII Summit in Vizag is country’s first-ever ‘Zero-waste’ event: Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman

Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman Kommareddy Pattabhiram announced that the forthcoming CII Partnership Summit, scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam city on November 14 and 15, will be the country’s first-ever “Zero Waste” event, a historic milestone in the city’s development.

Mr. Pattabhiram visited the Andhra University Engineering College Grounds to review the ongoing arrangements for the summit, and inspected the infrastructure and facilities. Later, he conducted a review meeting with Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) officials along with Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao on Thursday.

Mr. Pattabhiram said that Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Municipal Administration Minister have toured overseas and personally invited top global companies to invest in Andhra Pradesh. Around 3,000 delegates and representatives from India and from various countries across the globe are expected to attend the summit, with potential investment amounting to ₹10 lakh crore. The proposed projects are likely to create employment for 7.5 lakh youth, he added.

He said that the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared the event as a certified zero waste model summit. “All types of waste generated at the summit will be 100% recycled and reused. No waste will be released into the environment. All solid, liquid, and biodegradable waste will be scientifically processed and recycled. On-site composting facilities are being set up within the summit venue, and solid waste will be handed over to authorised recyclers,” he stated.

The Chairman shared that the initiative is being implemented through a comprehensive circular economy model, with technical collaboration between GVMC, Swachh Andhra Corporation, and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and will serve as a national role model for sustainable event management, positioning Visakhapatnam as a model green city.

He also said that the Chief Minister has directed all major future events across the State be organised under the ‘Zero Waste’ concept and Swachh Andhra Corporation is working toward that goal.

The Chairman instructed organisers to use only eco-friendly materials at the venue like glass and clay bottles, crunchy tea cups, and biodegradable products, instead of plastics. Every participant must wear a “Zero Waste” badge, which will serve as a mark of recognition for the event’s commitment to sustainability, he stated.

He further directed that cloth banners, digital screens, and QR code systems be used in place of plastic flex banners. He also instructed GVMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. E.N.V. Naresh Kumar to ensure facilities such as toilets with water tankers, drinking water supply, and waste bins at parking and public areas, without any lapses.

Later, delegates from Delhi gave a PowerPoint presentation on prohibited non-eco-friendly materials and the recommended sustainable alternatives to be used during the summit