Kerala's Minister for Local Self-Governments, M.B. Rajesh, has urged newly elected local body representatives to prioritize waste management, emphasizing its critical role in the state's progress towards a waste-free status. He highlighted the need for active involvement of these representatives to sustain current achievements. The minister also launched initiatives including a newsletter, radio program, and a disaster-time waste management protocol, while noting the state's success in the Swachh Survekshan survey.