As soon as the word bank is mentioned, banks that deal in money or blood banks come to mind. But in Chhattisgarh, women are running a unique bank where the money is not money or blood but utensils. About 1560 such utensil banks are running in the country under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Common people rent utensils from these banks for various events, functions and parties. After the ban on single-use plastic in cities, these banks are being seen as an alternative for common citizens to buy disposable items made of plastic like plates, plates, bowls, glasses and spoons etc.
How do these banks run?
Not only this, urban poor women are getting self-employment opportunities through utensils banks. These banks are also being considered as a unique experiment to develop sources of additional income for women. Most of the utensil banks are run by women in self-help groups or through public participation. The local administration provides funds to start it.
Income is also great
An income of Rs 3 lakh 85 thousand has been generated from the operation of one such utensil bank in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. Lalita Pandey, Didi Uttri Bank President, Ambikapur says that in future, Uttri Bank wants to further increase its capacity and tie up with banquet halls, hotels etc. of the city.
Important role in clean environment also
Utensil banks are also playing an important role in making garbage free cities. In most of the parties or celebrations, single use plastics like disposable plates, bowls, spoons and glasses etc. are used extensively. This causes garbage to spread in cities. Anku Singh, resident of Municipal Corporation Risali, said that he wanted to do something new in the birthday party of his daughter Prisha Singh. So he decided to do a zero waste event and rented utensils from Didi Utensil Bank.