Steel 'Crockery bank' to reduce plastic cutlery use

In a bid to make the country plastic-free, Shraddha Sahu, a resident of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh lends steel utensils for functions and occasions free of cost. Her idea is to help people cut down the use of single-use plastic cutlery and avoid adding to the growing mountains of plastic waste.

Chhattisgarh: It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech on appealing to shun single-use plastic that inspired the state government and the countrymen to take steps towards safeguarding the environment. However, an unsung hero, Shraddha Sahu, a resident of Bhilai has been working on making the country plastic free for two years now. Taking a little but laudable step, she has set up a 'crockery bank' on her own.

Through this initiative, Shraddha lends people steel utensils for functions and occasions free of cost. In addition to Bhilai, residents of surrounding districts also call on Shraddha when organising an event to book the utensils for any upcoming function. Shraddha said that all the people return back the utensils washed and clean after the events are concluded.

The idea is to help people cut down the use of single-use plastic cutlery and avoid adding to the growing mountains of plastic waste. Apart from giving steel cutlery, Shraddha is also spreading awareness on how to curb the use of plastic in day to day lives.

Shraddha is a homemaker and runs the utensil bank with the help of her family. She even gets invited to schools to educate children about the ill effects of using single-use plastic and how it negatively affects the environment and health of animals.

Shraddha's applaudable step has proved to be an inspiration for youths. It is a small but influential move to a greener and brighter India.

Also, read: Single-use plastic banned in Varanasi railway station