Sustainable, Recycled and Relevant Learn More About our Materials

With the recent G20 Summit, the UN’s World Environment day and the passionate protests of Teen Eco – Activist Greta Thunberg, it felt a fitting time to share some of the ways in which we continue to work with eco -friendly materials and why that philosophy is even more important now, than ever. A ‘natural rustic home’ is very on-trend this year, and hopefully it’s here to stay. We like to think we are at the forefront of ethical and natural homewares. We have always been passionate about working with sustainable, natural and reclaimed materials and our collections are largely based on a set of core materials, which demonstrate this. As a company, an important consideration when developing a new product is to question its impact on the environment. As well as taking care with the materials we work with, we also care about how our products are made; celebrating handmade skills and techniques, this is not just because we appreciate the quality and added charm of a handmade piece but because the age- old traditions and processes are often more sustainable. The work entailed is often more complex and it takes considerably longer but we think it is worth the wait.  

Ancient Eco- Friendly Crops 

Ancient crops like jute and hemp are naturally environmentally friendly, they are rain fed crops that don’t rely on additional irrigation and they don’t need pesticides or other treatments to flourish. The weaving processes have changed very little over many hundreds of years. This says something not only about the strength and quality of the materials but also the timeless and enduring methods that are ultimately as useful and relevant today as they will be in another 50 years.

Sustainable Mango Wood

Mango wood, fits into the same category; making use of wood that has already served a purpose. We only use the trees that have been harvested once they no longer bear fruit. This is a practical farming technique and has the added benefit of providing farmers with a supplementary income. The natural textures and hues of these materials create a soft, calm and timeless aesthetic in any home. This subtle, natural and understated look is the very essence of Nkuku.

 

It is not just sourcing sustainable materials that can help reduce our impact on the environment but also making use of recycled materials. Our recycled glassware includes all manner of useful, yet beautiful pieces; regenerating and giving new purpose to, what would be considered as a waste material. The disused glass is collected and sorted into colours. The glass is then crushed and heated until it is molten. This process reduces emissions by 30% in comparison to manufacturing new glass and also makes use of a discarded products.

We know there is still a lot more we can do to improve and we are dedicated to continually challenging ourselves on how we can be more environmentally friendly. We believe that sustainability is paramount not just with our products but as a company as whole.