Jute plants are easy to grow, have a high yield per acre and, unlike cotton, have little need for pesticides and fertilisers. Jute grows during the rainy season in Bangladesh. The plants are ready to harvest in four to six months, after the flowers are shed.
Jute plants help to clean the air. During growth they take in three times more CO2 than the average tree, converting this CO2 into oxygen. As these plants grow fast, they are often used in crop rotation. The leaves and roots left after harvest enrich the soil with micronutrients, maintaining soil fertility.
The producer of these baskets in Bangladesh is committed to providing regular employment in a working environment that is safe and hygienic. They pay a living wage to all employees. They have developed an innovative way of producing jute rope and stylish jute baskets which means they can produce a much higher return from the jute than when it is sold for basic jute sacks.
Seagrass grows very quickly in shallow saltwater along coastlines and rivers. Once mature, the grass is cut by hand and dried in the sun, then hand twisted and woven. Dried seagrass is very durable and moisture resistant.