Our very first Rice & Carry bag!

Our very first Rice & Carry bag

It all started with an idea...

The first Rice & Carry bag was made in 2012, to tackle two issues in Sri Lanka:

1) growing amount of plastic waste

2) lack of job opportunities for women

In the beginning, many people could not imagine that anyone would want to buy a bag made from trash.

Today, we upcycle more than 60,000 rice bags and spice sacks, and 120,000 plastic bottles per year …

Sign and Tuk no background.png

… and employ 50 women from rural villages for fair wages.

Vision

We seek to improve the livelihoods of communities on Sri Lanka's East coast.

Mission

  • Offer local solutions to the global waste crisis

  • Create steady jobs for women from rural areas

  •  Promote Fair Trade principles locally and globally 

 Lanka Upcycles is a fully approved member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). All our products are made according to the 10 Fair Trade principles.

1) OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERSBesides our 40 employed craftswomen, we work with small family businesses and women’s associations in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

1) OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERS

Besides our 40 employed craftswomen, we work with small family businesses and women’s associations in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

2) TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYWe are transparent about our production process. Visit our manufactory in Komari and have a look behind the scenes.

2) TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

We are transparent about our production process. Visit our manufactory in Komari and have a look behind the scenes.

3) FAIR TRADING PRACTICESSolidarity, trust and mutual respect are our core values, and how we build relationships with business partners in particular.

3) FAIR TRADING PRACTICES

Solidarity, trust and mutual respect are our core values, and how we build relationships with business partners in particular.

4) FAIR PAYMENTWe ensure that all our employees get a monthly income above the national minimum wage and we contribute to a pension fund.

4) FAIR PAYMENT

We ensure that all our employees get a monthly income above the national minimum wage and we contribute to a pension fund.

5) NO CHILD LABOUR AND FORCED LABOUROur suppliers are monitored regularly, to make sure that no child labour or forced labour is involved.

5) NO CHILD LABOUR AND FORCED LABOUR

Our suppliers are monitored regularly, to make sure that no child labour or forced labour is involved.

6) NO DISCRIMINATION, GENDER EQUITY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATIONWe stand against any form of discrimination based on race, gender, religion or disability. More than 80% of our workers are female.

6) NO DISCRIMINATION, GENDER EQUITY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

We stand against any form of discrimination based on race, gender, religion or disability. More than 80% of our workers are female.

7) GOOD WORKING CONDITIONSThe Rice & Carry manufactory is closed on Sundays and public holidays. On International Women’s Day, everybody is on paid leave.

7) GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS

The Rice & Carry manufactory is closed on Sundays and public holidays. On International Women’s Day, everybody is on paid leave.

8) CAPACITY BUILDINGWe particularly support women from rural areas to unfold their potential – and are proud to see them flourish into creative and skilled artisans.

8) CAPACITY BUILDING

We particularly support women from rural areas to unfold their potential – and are proud to see them flourish into creative and skilled artisans.

9) PROMOTE FAIR TRADEWe raise awareness about the aim and principles of Fair Trade and comply to honest advertising and marketing.

9) PROMOTE FAIR TRADE

We raise awareness about the aim and principles of Fair Trade and comply to honest advertising and marketing.

10) RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTEnvironmental protection lies at the heart of our business. We recycle, make products from waste materials and educate about environmental challenges.

10) RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental protection lies at the heart of our business. We recycle, make products from waste materials and educate about environmental challenges.