What is Jute?

Also referred to as burlap, hessian, or gunny, in its natural habitat of India jute is known as “The Golden Fibre”, due to its colour and versatility. This sustainable crop grows in abundance along the banks of the Ganges Delta, where the heart of jute cultivation is located, and naturally feeds on rainwater.

Jute is most commonly used to ship and store coffee beans, grains and vegetables. Other known uses include road construction and the production of carpets and rugs.

As well as being extremely strong and durable, jute is also breathable and has anti-static properties. By virtue of its carbon neutral and biodegradable nature, jute is one of the most sustainable fabrics in the world. We believe that this amazing fibre deserves much more recognition in the fashion industry, and we are very proud to celebrate jute with our first collection.

WHY IS Jute sustainable?

Here are just a few of the many reasons why jute is such a sustainable and eco-friendly material:

• It is 100% natural and therefore biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.
• It is extremely fast growing and can be harvested in as little as 4-6 months. Jute crops are not reliant on vast quantities of water, as it is mostly rain-fed.
• It cleans the air by consuming large quantities of CO2, the main cause of the greenhouse effect, and releases oxygen at a level much higher than trees!
• It is grown using traditional farming methods, with very little to no need for fertilisers or pesticides.
• Jute cultivation requires small areas of land to grow, significantly lowering the threat to the surrounding natural habitats and wildlife.
• It is a natural fertiliser that is often used to naturalise wasteland, in turn allowing other crops to be grown.

Where is our jute from?

We source our jute in Kolkata, where we also produce our bags, from a long-established company with over 140 years’ heritage and specialist experience in jute production. Their numerous social and environmental accreditations include SA8000, OEKO-TEX 100, GOTS, and Fairtrade.

As well as manufacturing jute for traditional purposes, they have also ventured into creating more modern and sophisticated forms of jute, which we use for our bags.