Get Back to the Future with Earthen Bottles:
Time to bid adieu to Plastics

5 June 2016, Bangalore: On the occasion of World Environment day, celebrity actor Dhananjay launched earthen bottles, 'Neer Patra', an initiative of Bangalore based NGO REWA (Raise Empower Women Around). The idea is to empower underprivileged women while creating awareness among people around the health hazards of using plastic bottles.

Experts suggest that while plastic bottles have made availability of drinking water easier, what most of us don't pay heed to is the 'leaching,' that takes place when we continuously use these bottles. Leaching means that some of the chemical content of the plastic bottle is discharged into the water. This makes bottled water hazardous to health.

"Nevertheless we make sure to drink clean and plenty of water, the question is how healthy is drinking water in plastic water? I think switching back to earthen bottles could help solve this problem" says Dhananjay commenting on the initiative.

Earthen wares have always played an essential role in Indian households. It has been here for centuries but with the introduction of metal utensils the use of the earthen ware has reduced drastically. But the good part is, with increasing awareness it is now produced on a large scale in Bangalore, and is sold in shops and streets throughout the city.

(REWA) have also started making earthen bottles which can be used for storing drinking water. It comes with a cap which prevents dust and dirt from entering the bottle. The bottle keeps the water cool, maintaining an ideal temperature for consumption.

"Clay prevents green algae from forming inside the bottle, hence, they are easy to maintain as light rinsing is all that it takes to wash away all the dirt. But if one finds the need for a thorough wash then it can be done by using a bottle brush. The outer layer can be washed using normal scrub and soap used in the kitchen" says Mr Abhishek Saran, Director, REWA.

The use of the clay bottle has health benefits and with no doubt, also, contributes to the environment. They are made out of natural elements of the earth which doesn't harm the environment in anyway. Also, unlike plastic bottles which are not biodegradable and carry toxins, earthen bottles can perish easily into the earth. Plastic poses a major threat to the environment which affects all life forms on the face of the earth.

REWA, the Bangalore based NGO, helps under-privileged women earn their own livelihood by making the clay bottles. Creating this wonderful work of art is their only means of income for survival. They were engaged in pot making but REWA initiated the bottle making enterprise. For orders you can call on 9535046900 & logon to www.rewasaran.com for more details