Sustainable Development Goals

Since launching the business in 2008, we have always followed the principles of fair trade for all and constantly review our working practices, both in the UK and on how we can support our talented artisans in Madagascar and Morocco - without whom this business would not exist.

In view of the 17 Sustainability Development Goals set out by the UN, our aim is to work towards each goal and use these as a constant reminder of how we must continue to improve all aspects of our business life.

Materials

All our products are made with natural sustainable materials - palm leaves and grasses. These grow in the wild in their native countries so are not farmed and are harvested with care. Some baskets have leather handles which is the by-product from meat production.

Production

Depending on the style, it takes from 2 hours to a few days to create each item. Many artisans work from their homes or in small groups in communal buildings. This is not ‘fast fashion’! It also means that our lead times are long as it takes roughly two to three months for a full container load to be made, and then the shipping time needs including. We pay for everything before the goods are shipped so there is no delay in payment for all the work involved by our artisans. We have worked together for a number of years so there is trust on both sides.

Artisans

There are many people involved - from harvesting the natural materials, to dyeing and weaving, to sewing on the leather handles and decoration. These are skills that are passed down the generations and are generally used to supplement incomes as many are farmers first. However with the effects of climate change, as well as the cost of living crisis, many are turning more to these ancient crafts as way of earning a steady income throughout the year. Their wages are essential for food and educating their children.

Packaging and Logistics

The products are shipped in recycled cardboard boxes or sacks - these sacks were either used for transporting rice or couscous - both protect the goods inside the containers. The boxes and sacks are reused when we ship to our customers, and some of the sacks are reused by friends and neighbours as they make great bags for garden refuse too! We also buy recycled cardboard boxes with recycled paper for packing and use paper tape for sealing the boxes.

We are conscious of our carbon footprint which is why we only ship full container loads by sea. The majority of shipping lines are also looking into ways of reducing the CO2 used. In the UK we use DPD to deliver all our parcels, they now have 3,500 electric vehicles and are aiming to be net zero in 2040.

Seconds / End of line

Inevitably we receive some items which are damaged, not quite right or we decide not to continue a style. Whilst the artisans are paid in full for each item, these ones are added at a discounted price to our Sale page or we donate to local Hampshire charities - mainly to Naomi Children’s House and St Michael’s Hospice.

Carbon Emissions

We continually try to improve and reduce these but recognise this needs more work. We have an annual membership with The Woodland Trust, since 2010, to support their tree planting. When we were in Madagascar in 2023, we also contributed towards the reforestation work taking place in the Mitsinjo area of the Andasibe National Park (where the Indri Indri lemurs are found).

We have replaced all electric lights with LED bulbs, use cartridge free printers and recycled paper. Our power provider E-ON aims to be 100% carbon neutral in 2040. Our website host, Cloud Above, uses 100% renewal electricity and has also planted over 16,000 trees to date with Ecologi. Our broadband provider is Zen who are a carbon neutral, B Corp company committed to reaching net zero by 2040.

Future plans

We strive to improve our environmental outlook in all areas of our business and will update this page as things progress.