This crockery bank lends steel utensils for functions to curb plastic waste

"It was purposefully kept free of rent as I wanted to motivate more and more people to use this service," notes Sajita, who set-up the bank

On a blazing summer month in Delhi, 45-year-old Sameera Satija, an auditor by profession, was perturbed by the amount of single use plastic being left over near the stalls set up to distribute free cold drinking water to the passerby. The thought that this plastic would end up choking landfills made Satija look for alternatives. “India has always been a sustainable society where we had reusable utensils for every event. But fast life style pushed us towards single use culture,” says Satija adding how non availability of reusable crockery for event and functions was also another reason that led to the mushrooming of single use culture. 

In a bid to her bit for the environment, Satija set up a  “crockery bank” which provides a collection of steel utensils that any one can use for any social or religious event free of cost. “It was purposefully kept free of rent as I wanted to motivate more and more people to use this service,” she notes.

At the outset, Satija was clear to not run this crockery bank as a solitary initiative. Rather, she wanted to make it known to everyone around so that more and more people would come together to participate in this cause. “I started with a normal roadside stall to provide free drinking water. At the end of the day, when I checked with the volunteer on the job, they pointed we’d saved 10,000 single use plastics in a day,” says Satija who keeps a data of every single event she sends her crockery too. “It is my way of showing people that how a small change in our way of looking at things can bring about a difference to the environment,” she adds. 

This was it. Once word started spreading about her “free service”, many joined in — both to hire crockery for functions as well as to donate more utensils to her bank. “Now there are around 26 teams from all over India who have set up similar banks to serve the general public. There are many societies, groups, institutes who have created the crockery bank for their own use. This initiative has helped us in saving around 3,35,000 single use plastic till date and the number is rising each day,” Satija notes. 

What started with Rs 10,000 from her own account has now involved more such people who think on the lines of Satija. Does she intend to monetise it in future? “No” comes the firm reply from her end. “I’m not doing it to earn money but as a responsible citizen. If my small act can bring together more people to this initiative, I will be glad,” says she. 

So how does the crockery bank work? How Does the Crockery Bank Work? There is no rental/charge for using the crockery. Anyone can ask for them, take them, use them, wash them and give back the utensils. The cost of lost/missing utensils will have to be borne by the borrower. Whosoever wants utensils can drop a message on the Facebook page by the name “Crockery bank for Everyone”. Satija gets back to them and ties up the pick up and other logistics. “One simply has to give a written letter signed by either the RWA or Councillor of the ward conveying the number of crockery items required, date, days etc. If neither of the above is possible, any two members from the group may give away copies of two IDs proof each; one proof must be Adhar Card,” she adds.

Satija has been working as citizen volunteer in the field of waste management, sustainability and other environmental issues. This has led her to reach a zero waste lifestyle. “Although it cannot be achieved overnight and is a journey where one learn and grow with each passing day. For me, zero waste lifestyle is to reduce your waste and manage the waste in a way that least should go to the landfill. Consume and use the stuff that is recyclable, reusable, refurbishable and repairable,” says she. “If we start managing waste wisely, we can bring down the size of landfills drastically.  People should now take responsibility of their waste too. Focus on buying or using the products that are either recyclable, reusable, refurbishable or repairable” Satija concludes.