India

You may have heard India’s handicrafts are natural, eco-friendly and sustainable. But how many of us know what it actually means? 

India’s handicrafts are very much part of a heritage. Since millennia, artisans and weavers have engaged in optimising raw materials, upcycling and minimising waste. Whether it is textiles or handiwork, the traditional methods of production in India continue to be rooted in spite of rapid technological advancement.

Natural materials are used in production, meaning raw materials often come from nature. Wood work, copper beating, basket weaving, are some examples. Eco-friendly methods are employed while making products. Think of using tree resin as gum, vegetable dyes for painting, and sunlight for drying papier-mache. Sustainability is a core element of Indian handicrafts. From start to finish, the energy consumption is low, ensuring that the carbon footprint is negligible. 

In spite of these factors, the crafts sector is a difficult place to work in. There is often little upscaling and minimal investment. Artisans have immense skill, but no job security. One way to change this is to buy products keeping a social and environmental cost in mind, along with a financial one. The responsibility to preserve an ecological technique is a two-way road, as much a consumer’s as the maker’s.