What are some of the materials used in sustainable homewares?
1. Areca leaf plates (kolapath plates) made in Sr Lanka are 100% natural and eco-friendly. They are made from naturally discarded leaves from Areca palm (Areca catechu) without harming the tree. These plates are sturdy and durable with lightweight, odourless, and non-toxic qualities and suitable for hot, cold oily, non-oily and all types of food.
Areca leave plate production is performed as a small-scale business with three to five employees and they manufacture about a thousand plates per day. Main buyers are supermarkets and hotels.
2. Palmyra leaf-based products such as mats, handicraft ornaments, baskets, storage boxes, designer bags and trays are still popular housewares, particularly in Northern areas. Leaves of all ages, tender leaves to brown coloured dead leaves are used to make these articles. These productions are done as a family business and small-scale enterprises by locals in Sri Lanka. Palmyra Development Board (PDB) is established under the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development to regulate a sustainable industry. PDB ensures renovation, restoration of palmyra plantation, conduction of training, promotion of palmyra industrial products and conducting research related to product development.
3. Hana (Flax) plant products -Since ancient times, mat weaving is practised by rural women as a cottage industry. A fiber similar to Jute is extracted from leaves of Hana (Linum usitatissimum) - hemp that grows wild in the marshy lands of Sri Lanka is processed, dyed, and woven in patterns. Eco-friendly houseware like mats, cushion covers, handbags, shopping bags, letter holders, fans, and screens are made. This is carried out as a cottage industry. Dumbara valley of Kandy district is very famous for weaved Hana mats.
4. Elephant dung products mainly include stationery and ornaments. Even though paper production is done on a small or medium scale, ornaments are made by individual artisans. Elephant dung papers are introduced to the market in ’90 ’s as a family business. But at the present, with the increased demand, papers are produced on large scale providing numerous employment opportunities to the local community. Initially, papers are made with elephant dung, and the papers are being turned into various value-added products such as greeting cards, albums, envelopes, books, calendars, and other eco stationaries. The concepts, research and developments, artwork and designs, international marketing are all done with the help of local knowledge. It is said that elephant dung paper production saves 50% of energy and 75% of water when compared to normal paper production. It is eco-friendly, and no trees or elephants are harmed during the procedure, thus the environment is conserved.
5. Products made from cinnamon such as toothpicks, incense, pencils, pens, paper dispensers, photo frames, gift boxes are made out of discards of cinnamon plantations and wood factories by upcycling. These exotic productions are carried out in micro scales by artisans mainly in the southern province.
6. Coconut shells are freely available and considered as a waste product of the coconut processing industry. Shells are crafted with creative hands to make bowls, spoons, vases, teapots, teacups, dessert cups, dining utensils, lampshades, penholders that are higher in market value. Coconut shell handicrafts are typically made by highly skilful local artisans as a single or family business which has passed down from one generation to the other. These handicrafts have a high demand among tourists in Sri Lanka.
7. Coconut fibre or coir products are made of fibre from coconut husks. Husks are considered as leftovers of large-scale coconut-based products. Fibres are extracted after a process of fermentation. Homeware products such as brooms, brushes, ropes, mattresses, carpets, mats, flowerpots, and floor coverings are made. Hayley’s & Co is the largest manufacturer and exporter of coconut fibre-based products in Sri Lanka. It has provided many employment opportunities to a large number of locals directly and indirectly.
8. Bamboo, Reed, Rattan, Cane products such as furniture, cups, cutlery utensils, food covers, trays, wall hangings, tats, musical instruments, toothbrushes, and ornaments are made out of plants such as bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), reed (Ochlandra stridula), Rattan (Calamus rotang) and Cane. Due to lightweight, higher flexural strength and durability, cane furniture has a higher demand in the local market. By considering the environmental pollution as a result of cutting down large valuable trees, use of hazardous chemicals in the process of wooden furniture manufacture, the cane is a better alternative for wood in a sustainability context. The main obstacle faced by the artisans is a shortage of raw materials in Sri Lanka. Therefore, at present, raw materials are imported from India. But, as a solution, Sri Lanka Forest Department has taken steps to implement programs for the propagation of Bamboo. The bamboo training centre was established by the Rural Industrial Development Board to enhance the skills and to provide proper guidance to local craftsmen.
9. Batik products are made from cotton and silk with traditional arts. Even though batik is of Indonesian roots, yet in Sri Lanka, the crafts have developed into a unique style to produce clothing, wall hangings, cushion covers, bedsheets, and a multitude of household décor items. Batik handicraft products are distinctive in design and vibrant in colour. Today chemical dyes have also come into the equation, in addition to traditional natural dyes. The whole procedure (Waxing, dying, designing) is done by hand. Originally batik was a cottage industry. But today batik is manufactured in large scales in the South-Western coastal areas of Sri Lanka providing numerous employment opportunities for local communities.
10. Clay products- The history of pottery of Sri Lanka goes back to the fifth century BC. This craftsmanship has passed down from generation to generation. clay is derived from Earth and clay products such as pots, drinking vessels, jugs, stoves, plates are 100% natural and provides many benefits to health. It is said that cooking in clay pots add important nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus iron and magnesium to our diet, neutralizes acidity, and ensures aromatic and flavorful food. The most famous household product that every house use is the clay water pot. There are surprising health benefits of using clay pot water. It boosts metabolism, prevents sunstrokes, creates pH balance in the body and most importantly, provides a natural coolness and taste to drinking water. A major quantity of the clay products are plain utensils devoid of decorations. With the increase of demand for decorated pottery, dying the wet clay in patterns and glazing are now introduced.
11. Natural Rubber products in Sri Lanka internationally accepted for its superior quality. Many homewares such as mats, rubber bands, hoses, hot water bottles and footwear are made from natural rubber. Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka is established to ensure quality and sustainability. Rubber Productions are carried out as large, medium, and small-scale enterprises providing plenty of employment opportunities for skilled labour in the local community.
12. Wooden Masks are produced in the Southwestern Coastal belt of Sri Lanka. These are produced from the wood of “Kaduru” (Strychnos nux-vomica). The skills and techniques of producing masks have been passed from generation to generation from ancient times. The logs of Kaduru are dried in the sun till the sticky juice of the timber is evaporated and then cut into pieces of the required sizes. After seasoning for about a week timber is skillfully craved, smoothened and painted with natural colours. They are being used in exorcism practices and locals believe that these masks help to prevent evil spirits that affect the household. There is a high demand for wooden masks among tourists. Therefore, the products get a higher value in the market.
Areca leave plate production is performed as a small-scale business with three to five employees and they manufacture about a thousand plates per day. Main buyers are supermarkets and hotels.
2. Palmyra leaf-based products such as mats, handicraft ornaments, baskets, storage boxes, designer bags and trays are still popular housewares, particularly in Northern areas. Leaves of all ages, tender leaves to brown coloured dead leaves are used to make these articles. These productions are done as a family business and small-scale enterprises by locals in Sri Lanka. Palmyra Development Board (PDB) is established under the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development to regulate a sustainable industry. PDB ensures renovation, restoration of palmyra plantation, conduction of training, promotion of palmyra industrial products and conducting research related to product development.
3. Hana (Flax) plant products -Since ancient times, mat weaving is practised by rural women as a cottage industry. A fiber similar to Jute is extracted from leaves of Hana (Linum usitatissimum) - hemp that grows wild in the marshy lands of Sri Lanka is processed, dyed, and woven in patterns. Eco-friendly houseware like mats, cushion covers, handbags, shopping bags, letter holders, fans, and screens are made. This is carried out as a cottage industry. Dumbara valley of Kandy district is very famous for weaved Hana mats.
4. Elephant dung products mainly include stationery and ornaments. Even though paper production is done on a small or medium scale, ornaments are made by individual artisans. Elephant dung papers are introduced to the market in ’90 ’s as a family business. But at the present, with the increased demand, papers are produced on large scale providing numerous employment opportunities to the local community. Initially, papers are made with elephant dung, and the papers are being turned into various value-added products such as greeting cards, albums, envelopes, books, calendars, and other eco stationaries. The concepts, research and developments, artwork and designs, international marketing are all done with the help of local knowledge. It is said that elephant dung paper production saves 50% of energy and 75% of water when compared to normal paper production. It is eco-friendly, and no trees or elephants are harmed during the procedure, thus the environment is conserved.
5. Products made from cinnamon such as toothpicks, incense, pencils, pens, paper dispensers, photo frames, gift boxes are made out of discards of cinnamon plantations and wood factories by upcycling. These exotic productions are carried out in micro scales by artisans mainly in the southern province.
6. Coconut shells are freely available and considered as a waste product of the coconut processing industry. Shells are crafted with creative hands to make bowls, spoons, vases, teapots, teacups, dessert cups, dining utensils, lampshades, penholders that are higher in market value. Coconut shell handicrafts are typically made by highly skilful local artisans as a single or family business which has passed down from one generation to the other. These handicrafts have a high demand among tourists in Sri Lanka.
7. Coconut fibre or coir products are made of fibre from coconut husks. Husks are considered as leftovers of large-scale coconut-based products. Fibres are extracted after a process of fermentation. Homeware products such as brooms, brushes, ropes, mattresses, carpets, mats, flowerpots, and floor coverings are made. Hayley’s & Co is the largest manufacturer and exporter of coconut fibre-based products in Sri Lanka. It has provided many employment opportunities to a large number of locals directly and indirectly.
8. Bamboo, Reed, Rattan, Cane products such as furniture, cups, cutlery utensils, food covers, trays, wall hangings, tats, musical instruments, toothbrushes, and ornaments are made out of plants such as bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), reed (Ochlandra stridula), Rattan (Calamus rotang) and Cane. Due to lightweight, higher flexural strength and durability, cane furniture has a higher demand in the local market. By considering the environmental pollution as a result of cutting down large valuable trees, use of hazardous chemicals in the process of wooden furniture manufacture, the cane is a better alternative for wood in a sustainability context. The main obstacle faced by the artisans is a shortage of raw materials in Sri Lanka. Therefore, at present, raw materials are imported from India. But, as a solution, Sri Lanka Forest Department has taken steps to implement programs for the propagation of Bamboo. The bamboo training centre was established by the Rural Industrial Development Board to enhance the skills and to provide proper guidance to local craftsmen.
9. Batik products are made from cotton and silk with traditional arts. Even though batik is of Indonesian roots, yet in Sri Lanka, the crafts have developed into a unique style to produce clothing, wall hangings, cushion covers, bedsheets, and a multitude of household décor items. Batik handicraft products are distinctive in design and vibrant in colour. Today chemical dyes have also come into the equation, in addition to traditional natural dyes. The whole procedure (Waxing, dying, designing) is done by hand. Originally batik was a cottage industry. But today batik is manufactured in large scales in the South-Western coastal areas of Sri Lanka providing numerous employment opportunities for local communities.
10. Clay products- The history of pottery of Sri Lanka goes back to the fifth century BC. This craftsmanship has passed down from generation to generation. clay is derived from Earth and clay products such as pots, drinking vessels, jugs, stoves, plates are 100% natural and provides many benefits to health. It is said that cooking in clay pots add important nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus iron and magnesium to our diet, neutralizes acidity, and ensures aromatic and flavorful food. The most famous household product that every house use is the clay water pot. There are surprising health benefits of using clay pot water. It boosts metabolism, prevents sunstrokes, creates pH balance in the body and most importantly, provides a natural coolness and taste to drinking water. A major quantity of the clay products are plain utensils devoid of decorations. With the increase of demand for decorated pottery, dying the wet clay in patterns and glazing are now introduced.
11. Natural Rubber products in Sri Lanka internationally accepted for its superior quality. Many homewares such as mats, rubber bands, hoses, hot water bottles and footwear are made from natural rubber. Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka is established to ensure quality and sustainability. Rubber Productions are carried out as large, medium, and small-scale enterprises providing plenty of employment opportunities for skilled labour in the local community.
12. Wooden Masks are produced in the Southwestern Coastal belt of Sri Lanka. These are produced from the wood of “Kaduru” (Strychnos nux-vomica). The skills and techniques of producing masks have been passed from generation to generation from ancient times. The logs of Kaduru are dried in the sun till the sticky juice of the timber is evaporated and then cut into pieces of the required sizes. After seasoning for about a week timber is skillfully craved, smoothened and painted with natural colours. They are being used in exorcism practices and locals believe that these masks help to prevent evil spirits that affect the household. There is a high demand for wooden masks among tourists. Therefore, the products get a higher value in the market.
