Handmade Expressions Sustainability Report

2012LIVING OUR VALUESMAKING AN IMPACTHANDMADE EXPRESSIONSS U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O RT

HANDMADE EXPRESSIONS LIVING OUR VALUES MAKING AN IMPACT

1 Welcome to our first Sustainability Report! Its been quite an exciting journey

since we began Handmade Expressions eight years ago. As weve grown, weve given

great consideration to minimizing our impacts along the way, and now weve applied

these lessons into a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Whether youre new to

Handmade Expressions or a longstanding partner, Im excited to share with you our

findings and hope this inspires you to talk about sustainability in more personal,

meaningful ways with your customers.

Handmade Expressions sees sustainability as a way of life, not an end goal. As a

social entrepreneurship, doing good for people and the planet is our business mission.

Fair trade principles are integrated with a deeper concern for the environment in

our efforts to create inspired products and connect with our partners. Community

is what motivates us we foster direct personal relationships with artisans in India

and with retail partners across North America.

In this report you will learn about our values, philosophy and initiatives to

affect positive change with people, the planet and our products. We also include

case studies that highlight specific actions and projects that bring our values to life.

While we recognize there is much still to do to empower artisans, engage our

community and reduce our environmental footprint, I am proud of what our small

team of passionate individuals in the US and India have been able to accomplish.

Sustainability is our path, our way of doing business, and I invite you to join in our

journey as we continue working toward positive change.

Kind Regards,

Manish Gupta

Founder and Director of Handmade Expressions

a word from our founder

1

Our missiOn is to dO good fOr peOple and the planet by:

Handmade Expressions began in 2005 with a love for the world,

a desire to make it a better place, and the motivation to respectfully

blend cultures to create beautiful products supportive of both people

and the planet. Founded as a fair trade business, we aspired to prove

growth can be achieved in a responsible manner. We have been members

of the Fair Trade Federation since 2007 and strongly support its mission

and growing community.

Our core philosophy is to be intimately and directly involved with

artisan communities, developing rich partnerships in India where we

have a team on the ground, SETU, The Bridge to Artisans, to plan and

implement all projects on the artisan side of our business. We partner

with these artisan groups in India (and one in Bangladesh) because it

allows us to develop direct and personal relationships through SETU.

We visit with every group, gain rapport through cultural understanding,

and partner in a much more direct and focused manner.

Over the years, Handmade Expressions methods have evolved

to surpass impediments to positive change. Drawing from this

experience, we have learned that communities need to have

ownership over development projects for them to be successful and

artisan organizations need additional training and support alongside

orders to grow their businesses. These relationships allow our in-

house team of designers to develop products that respectfully blend

traditional art forms with modern styles and educate artisans about

international design trends.

As Handmade Expressions grew in breadth and depth, we

became increasingly concerned about our environmental and social

impacts, and began implementing practices in our operations beyond

fair trade that encompass a more holistic approach to sustainability.

our journey to sustainability

ACHIEVING zero-waste throughout

our supply chain.

DEVELOPING quality products that do no harm

to people or the planet.

EMPOWERING all artisan partners to lead a

dignified quality of life.

of engaged citizens throughout

the United States.

Our core philosophy is to be

intimately and directly

involved with artisan communities,

developing rich partnerships

in India.BUILDING A TRIBE


As you discover our people-positive and planet-positive initiatives throughout

this report, we hope you also view our company culture through this lens. Our

passionate team is our biggest asset and we offer a fun personal workspace that

encourages employees to achieve their fullest potential. This flexibility allows

employees to work from home and bring their pets to the office. We also seek to

engage our team through personal development initiatives, including conferences,

workshops and visits to artisan communities in India.

Handmade Expressions fosters creative solutions-based thinking from

product development to sales and marketing. We encourage community

interaction and sponsor a team service day each year. In November 2012 we

spent a day volunteering with Urban Roots, a local farm and youth development

program here in Austin, Texas. More than just a business, purchaser or supplier,

Handmade Expressions seeks to be your partner in building communities that

work together for lasting social and environmental change.

we

beli

eve

in: 1

2345

RESPECT FOR PEOPLE

RESPECT FOR PLANET

INTEGRITY

INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

FUN & LEARNING

Our Company Values and Culture

3

what youll find

PeOPlE

PlANet

06 ARTISAN NETWORK

22 REDUCING EMISSIONS

13 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

24REDUCING ENERGY AND WASTE

PrOdUCt

17 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

19 MATERIALS

20 PRODUCTION

21 PACKAGING

21 LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS


Handmade Expressions exists to connect and empower

our global community. Through personal relationships, we

provide growth opportunities for our partners on both ends

of the business artisans in India and our local community of

retailers in North America. We seek to incite positive social

change and inspire our community with responsible practices.

peOple

5

ARTISAN network40 COMMUNITIES 9 NEW IN 2012 OUR NETWORK REACHES OVER 20,000 ARTISANS

20

35

30

70 25

62

340

947

850

2473

1070

1714

11086

3000

6

50


OF INDIAS POPULATION LIVES

IN POVERTY.

OF INDIAS

POPULATION LIVES

IN POVERTY.

NEARLY 30%

DISCRIMINATION causes 15% lower wages for scheduled

castes as compared to otherwise equally

qualified people.

IN RURAL INDIA, poverty is much higher. Only 39% of people

participate in the formal labor force.

WoMEn

MinOriTiEs

rurAl

INDIA RANKS 158TH out of 168 countries worldwide on the Gender

Equity Index developed by Social Watch.

By providing economic opportunities to women, we can mitigate gendered discrimination in Indias patriarchal society

and affect social change in a more powerful way.

WHY we prefer certain social groups:

30% of oUr partNers sPEcificAlly targEt miNOrity or low-cAsTe populAtioNs

iN iNdia.

more thAn 80% of our artisans live in

rurAl india.

75% of oUr ArTisAn network is WOMen.

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CoNfideNce aNd well-being

social Equality

no child labOr

safe and emPOweriNg work CoNdiTiOns

fair and Prompt Pay

our social values create impact

in 2012 handmadE eXpressiOns deVElopEd oUr artisan assEssmeNT indEX,

an innovative tool that evaluates artisan groups practices in relation to our

social values and distinguishes areas of impact and opportunity. SETU, our team in

India, began implementing this with some of our closest partners last year. Artisan

groups have been fully engaged in this process to allow for ownership over identified

projects and development areas stemming from the measure. Initial assessments

thus far have proven effective in helping quantify social impacts from various

partnerships and determine future development projects, such as healthy workplaces,

quality and skills training or resource access.

WE ARE THE FIRST COMPANY TO CREATE A SUSTAINABILITY MEASUREMENT TOOL LIKE THIS

FOR FAIR TRADE ARTISANS IN INDIA.

On average, Handmade Expressions artisan partners

make 17% above market wages due to their fair trade

partnerships with us.

In 2012 Handmade Expressions

hosted safety training workshops

with two artisan communities.

Through fair incomes and counseling, we

empower our artisans to send their children

to school.

92% of our artisan partnerships specifically promote and include

communities that have traditionally had limited economic

opportunities in Indian society, including women, social

minorities and people with special needs.

From 2009 through 2012, family income

has grown an average of 130% for our

partner artisans.


Meanwhile, multiple trials of lead-free powders proved

unsuccessful. The new substances changed the tuning process, which

undermined the artisans craft expertise. We also partnered with a

local Hazards Center, which developed a process to remove lead from

the finished bell. However, this did not mitigate the risk of inhalation

during production.

In 2012 we decided on a new approach. We started working with

a local rural development NGO to build an outdoor communal furnace

that could control the exhaust and fumes. Trials thus far have proven

challenging, yet promising. If this approach is successful, we hope to

implement these kilns throughout the artisan villages.

This project enlightened us to some of the challenges of

affecting change for the benefit of the health and livelihoods of artisan

communities. We continue to dedicate resources to this development

project, which is the focus of one of our major social programs in 2013.

We will update stakeholders on its progress via our website, newsletters

and in our next sustainability report.

In the western Indian state of Gujarat, bell-making is an ancient

art, with expert tuning techniques passed through the generations. In

2007 Handmade Expressions began partnering with this community

of bell makers.

The copper bells are crafted from reclaimed brass sheets, cut

and shaped by hand. The raw brass is coated in a clay and copper

powder mixture, then heated in home-based kilns to weld the joints.

Master artisans tune a unique, melodic ring by ear for each bell.

As a socially conscious business that is deeply committed to

artisan welfare, we were very concerned upon discovering a few

years ago that the powder coating used by these master bell-makers

contained small amounts of lead. We began working on solutions to

protect the artisans from inhaling fumes from the kilns or traces of

the raw powder.

Our team in India provided safety kits and masks at an

educational workshop, and explained the potential health effects of

lead. We later discovered, however, that the masks were not worn

because artisans believed they inhibited the traditional practice of

bell-making.

LIVING OUR VALUES. MAKING AN IMPACT.

CASE STUDY: SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS AND KILN

DEVELOPMENT AT COPPER BELL COMMUNITY

This project enlightened us to some of the challenges of affecting change

for the benefit of the health and livelihoods of artisan communities.

9

MAJOR PROJECTS FOR DESIGN AND QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

WORKSHOPS ON CAPACITY BUILDING

SAFETY TRAININGS AND EQUIPMENT PROVISION

PROJECTS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

VOCATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR ARTISANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (BECOMING NGO)

Economic Empowerment

All artisans we work with are experts in particular crafts,

yet some may not have the skills necessary to complete

entire products. Artisans can make more money and

take ownership over a product if they learn stitching or

finishing techniques. Our capacity-building efforts focus

on developing these skills so artisans add more value in

production and business development.

The majority of Handmade Expressions products are

exclusively designed by our in-house product develop-

ment team in conjunction with artisans, using traditional

craftwork to conceive products that will be successful

in the U.S. marketplace. Through these partnerships,

artisans acquire useful knowledge about international

design trends and quality standards, which enables their

groups to further develop their businesses.

For Handmade Expressions, empowerment differentiates us

from a charity or social service organization. It means rather than

just ensuring income for needy artisans, we help them become better

business people by developing their entrepreneurial skills so they

are not dependent on orders from us. The ultimate measure of our

success is when artisan groups are able to diversify their customer

base along domestic and export markets that pay fairly, thereby

sustaining their own businesses and providing for the long term. On

average in 2012, orders from Handmade Expressions comprised 22%

of artisan partners business, except our jewelry partners, with whom

we comprise the vast majority of their business.

Between 2009 and 2012, artisan organizations increased total

business turnover by 125% on average, showing business development

and sustainable sales growth.

CAPACITY BUILDING

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

3

2

2

2

1

1

BusiNess develOpMent initiaTives in 2012

OUr fundaMentals Of EconOMic EMpowermenT:

In 2012, we hosted a workshop with a partner block-printing community

in Rajasthan to educate the artisans about international quality standards

and improve their production skills. Since this workshop, production quality

has vastly improved and the unique touch of each handmade product is

respected. In addition, artisans were empowered to strengthen their business

for export by learning international design and quality standards.


WORKSHOPS ON HEALTH AND HYGIENE

EVENTS FOSTERING FAIR TRADE AWARENESS IN INDIA

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS (TREE PLANTING AND WATER CONSERVATION)

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP FOR WOMENS AND CHILDRENS EDUCATION

EVENT FOR WOMENS EMPOWERMENT

CRAFT LEARNING WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

2012 cOMMUnity PrOjects includE:

in 2012, handmAde ExprEssioNs

invested $15,000 back intO

artisan comMunities.

Social Development Handmade Expressions commits 1% of annual revenue to invest

in social change for artisan communities above and beyond our fair

trading relations. Over the past few years, this funding has supported

solar lamp installations in rural villages, education sponsorships,

health camps, environmental campaigns and a water treatment system.

It is remarkable to witness the exponential improvements in

artisan communities as a result of these projects. As artisans have

more work and steady income, it builds their confidence, health

and well-being especially among women. Many of our partners

have worked to spread the benefits to their communities through

resource development projects, education sponsorships for girls, home

improvements, health care and access to bank accounts. We are proud

of these communities and the changes weve helped make by partnering

with them.

Handmade Expressions commits 1% of

annual revenue to invest in social change for

artisan communities in India.

4

2

1

1

1

5

11

In 2012, Handmade Expressions sponsored evening classes for women

and a university scholarship for the founders daughter, who will be

the first female in the community to attend college!

In 2013, we will continue our support of these jewelry makers

by assisting them to establish as a formal NGO in India. Handmade

Expressions is proud that our partnerships are creating real social

change and empowering communities. This group has proven to be

a true success story and demonstrates what can be done when a

community works together.

In June 2012, we visited a jewelry-making community we have

partnered with for four years and found numerous positive changes.

This artisan group began with only a few people working in a tiny,

congested workshop in Old Delhi. Today it is a large community that

has been able to improve the quality of life for their families and

implement sustainable production methods all because of fair

trade partnerships.

Handmade Expressions provides close to 95% of this groups

business and the communitys annual sales are now 12 times greater

than prior to our partnership! Individual artisan wages are also 25%

higher than local market rates.

Economic success enabled this group to move into a larger

workshop with safer and more environmentally friendly processes.

They took initiative to create better ventilated workspace and

installed containers to properly dispose of chemicals from electroplating.

With help from our team in India, the artisans addressed health and

environmental concerns by sourcing mostly recyclable materials and

switching to metals free of lead, cadmium or nickel.

Throughout the years of our partnership weve seen substantial

social progress for the extended community as well. This artisan

group has strongly supported educating their members and families.

HANDMADE EXPRESSIONS

PROVIDES CLOSE TO 95% of this groups business and the communitys annual sales are now

12 times greater than prior to our partnership!

individUal artisan wAgEs arE also 25% higher than loCal

markeT rAtes.


CASE STUDY: SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL PROGRESS FOR

A JEWELRY-MAKING COMMUNITY IN NEW DELHI


Part of Handmade Expressions mission is to engage our

community through active outreach, building a tribe of

engaged consumer-citizens who are inquisitive about how

products are made, how their purchases affect producers and

the environment, and what businesses are doing to improve

social and environmental impacts.

EdUcation And OuTrEAch

13

responsible marketing

We are mindful of the stories we share about our partner

artisans and ensure the tone is respectful and uplifting. We

want everyone to see the craftsmanship behind Handmade

Expressions products and the artisans leading fulfilling lives.

Throughout 2012, we developed new communications guide-

lines to solidify our messaging and we began a brand audit,

which included conversations with buyers and other retail

experts. As a result, were undergoing a rebranding process

including new website, visual identity and marketing materials

that will debut in summer 2013. Were excited about this

investment because it will help us and you convey the

promise of fair trade products to engage and inspire customers.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of our global

community, we hope to inspire our partners to live mindfully

and enable them with the resources to share this collective

knowledge. Handmade Expressions has engaged our retail

partners and local community through events support during

Fair Trade Month (October) for the last two years, and has

participated in direct outreach for World Fair Trade Day (in May)

annually since 2009 (see case studies on pages 15 and 16). We

built an active social media presence in 2012 to connect with our

audience more personally and directly share resources about

sustainability, and we donated products to fundraisers that

promote our shared mission, such as Ten Thousand Villages of

Austins One Reason Why Fair Trade Art Show and The Tender

Heart Foundation.

In order to reduce our impact on the environment, our

catalogs and product hangtags that are produced in the

United States are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

certified recycled paper using chlorine-free, plant-based inks.

We also recycle or reuse printed materials whenever possible,

and we continue to look for solutions that are more ecologically

responsible. We believe strongly that sustainability practices

like these help position stores as ethical businesses, strengthen

brand image and build customer loyalty.

Our marketing communications strategy is built to

ENGAGE and INSPIRE customers with our beautiful, stylish handcrafts while sharing the promise

and rewards of sustainable trade.



Education and Outreach:BLOCK PRINTING FOR FAIR TRADE MONTH

Retail partners are one of our biggest assets for direct

educational outreach and we wanted to give back and support them in

their awareness-raising efforts. Handmade Expressions sponsored 50

block-printing kits to assist retail partners in hosting fair trade events

at their stores in October 2012 for Fair Trade Month. Block-printing was

the perfect solution; not only would it provide a hands-on creative

activity, the blocks were purchased from our artisan partners, providing

them additional income.

Along with a unique hand-carved wood block, we included a how

to poster and informational bookmarks. These shared a story of the

fair trade impact on a block-printing community by highlighting a

water treatment project implemented by Handmade Expressions

last year (see page 20 for more on this project). We also assisted with

promoting the events through our social media channels.

The block-printing events proved to be a mad success! All 50 kits

were claimed within just four hours of announcing the event online.

We received photos and enthusiastic feedback from most partners,

showcasing how they fostered interaction with their communities

in direct and positive ways. Retail store Tenfold Fair Trade Collection

won our contest for most engaging event and received a prize of

handmade, block-printed Eco Shopper bags.

Handmade Expressions sponsored 50 block-printing

kits to assist retail partners in hosting fair trade events

at their stores in October 2012 for Fair Trade Month.

all 50 kits WEre clAimed within jUsT fOur hOurs Of

anNOuncing the evEnt oNlinE.

15

Begin

finish!

promotes under her leadership. One of SUREs primary goals is to

generate livelihoods for women through craftwork. Lata ji explained,

Making money is a platform for women to have a voice, to work for

their own empowerment. Audiences were struck by the personal

stories that emerged in discussions and the impacts responsible trade

has on womens lives.

Overall, this tour helped Handmade Expressions foster a

connection between the two ends of the fair trade system: an artisan

lead with advocates in the United States. Everyone was appreciative

of this opportunity for personal dialogue and said it motivated them in

advocating for fair trade. Several partners shared Lata jis story with

their online audiences, helping to continue the discussion and inspire

more communities.

In celebration of World Fair Trade Day 2012, Handmade

Expressions and Fair Trade Towns co-sponsored a tour that brought

Lata Kachhawaha to the United States from rural Rajasthan. The tour

began at our office in Austin, Texas, then traveled up the coast of

California and ended with a speaking engagement at the Fair Trade

Federations conference in Seattle.

Over 10 days, Lata ji met with passionate social activists and

mission-based retail stores to share her experiences with The Society

to Uplift Rural Economy (SURE), one of our fair trade partners in

India. She enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with advocates,

learn about U.S. culture, and see beautiful sights along the way.

Lata ji has dedicated her life to womens empowerment in the

desert region of Barmer, located in northwestern Rajasthan. She

illuminated the holistic strategy for rural development that SURE

Making money is a platform for women

to have a voice, to work for their own

empowerment. -Lata Kachhawaha


Education and Outreach: FAIR TRADE ARTISAN TOUR WITH LATA KACHHAWAHA

14 MEETINGS | 10 DAYS | 10 CITIES AND TOWNS


SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTIn 2012, Handmade Expressions began to conceptualize what

makes a sustainable product. To us, a sustainable product

embodies four qualities: respectful of people, environmentally

friendly, durable and functional.

prOduct

17

materials and ProdUcTiOnPrefer naturally sourced or

upcycled raw materials

Clean production practices conserve

resources and preserve environment

Provides sustainable

livelihood for producers

Safe and empowering work

conditions for producers

Lifecycle Considerations for Sustainable Product Development

UsE and care

packagiNg and logistics

disposAl / eNd of lifeRepurpose > Compost

> Recycle

Compostable or Recyclable

at end of useful life

Easy disassembly

Minimal chemicals or

finishers that may leach

Functionality: Fulfill a practical need

or emotional purpose

Meet quality standards

Easy for consumers to fix or upgrade

Care/Wash should minimize eco

impacts. No dry clean required

Test for safety or toxins released

during use.

Preferred Packaging:

Reusable packaging options

Upcycled materials

Recyclable or biodegradable materials

Minimalist options

Environmental stewardship in

shipping and office operations

HANDMADE EXPRESSIONS DEVELOPED THIS CHECKLIST TO HELP OUR DESIGN TEAM UNDERSTAND HOW VARIOUS DESIGN DECISIONS IMPACT A PRODUCT

THROUGHOUT ITS LIFECYCLE.

to us, a sustainable prOduCt eMbodies fOur qUalities: RESPECTFUL OF PEOPLE,

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, DURABLE AND FUNCTIONAL.


Overall, Indian Rosewood is a very sustainable material and has become one of our preferred materials for new product development. It is a fast-growing hardwood that is sustainably sourced and does not contribute to deforestation. It is a hardy and durable tree that does not require watering other than what is naturally fed from rains, nor does it need pesticides or fertilizers. Being a natural material, it can also be used to feed

composts or as mulch at the end of a products life.

sustainable materials Raw materials are the largest factor contributing to environmental

impacts across our products lifecycles. With our business model,

sustainable product design is challenging because we have access

to limited materials that artisans can source from local markets and

traditional artistic methods may only apply with certain materials. In

2012, Handmade Expressions Sustainability Manager conducted a

research project to understand the lifecycle impacts of various

materials we use. This benchmark research enables us to set

strategies for improving impacts, such as sourcing sustainable

alternatives where possible, for instance.

Since a single tool to measure the impacts of our diverse

product range does not yet exist, we developed a customized

framework to assist with understanding the environmental effects

of the materials we use. Inspired by the Sustainable Apparel Coali-

tions materials research, we scored materials across five main impact

areas of material production, from seed to final product. (See Indian

Rosewood infographic for an example of how this scorecard works).

When we began, we operated on the assumption that

natural materials are better than synthetic and sourced in a responsible

manner when possible. However, by putting concrete research

and data behind these five impacts, we discovered how such

assumptions do not always hold true. For example, the majority of our

textile products are made with cotton, which originally we believed to

have a lighter footprint on the earth since its a natural fiber. In 2012,

with our newly acquired knowledge of the heavy toxic impact from pes-

ticides and immense water use to grow conventional cotton, we could

then mindfully set strategies to move forward. We are continuously

researching how we can shift to lower-impact alternatives, such as

organic or fair trade cotton, while still providing fair incomes, maintaining

ethical business standards and minimizing carbon emissions in our

supply chain.

Stemming from this research, we created a list of preferred eco

materials that scored highest in our ranking.

Preferred materials Include: 1. Upcycled or recycled-content materials

2. Responsibly-sourced materials (such as cruelty-free leather and silk or sustainably harvested local Indian Rosewood)

3. Rapidly-renewable fibers (such as jute and hogla leaf)

4. Organic fabrics (we have begun exploring the sourcing potential)

We also are working to extend this to dyes and components. We

prefer natural dyes; if thats not possible in production, we ensure all

synthetic dyes are non-toxic and AZO-free.

To disseminate this knowledge internally so that various

departments can make effective product development decisions and

communicate transparently, we also created material data sheets.

These cover more qualitative aspects of the materials, including

how its made, how its commonly used, care instructions, and any

sustainability concerns. Our material data sheets have been a

valuable tool for empowering the entire team to contribute to our

sustainable materials initiatives.

indian rosewoodS C O R E C A R D

Handmade Expressions has created a material scorecard that measures the environmental effects of the materials we use to create our products. Our goal is to only work with materials that maintain a score of 10 or above making our

products low impact.

reNeWability

water use

Toxic impact

enErgy use

end of life

Environmental Impact Score>>

34442

/ 3/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 2

19

After identifying this issue, we worked with a local lab that

developed a water filtration system comprised of a quartz and sand

pressure filter and an activated carbon filter. Tests effectively proved

the water output is clean and suitable for reuse in block-print production.

This plant has capacity to filter 2,000 liters of water each hour and

each lot of water can be filtered and reused 15 times!

Water filtration is a huge economic relief for artisans, as they

expect large monetary savings from purchasing less water and are no

longer at risk of shutting down due to water scarcity. It also helps keep

the community healthy by eliminating effluents from draining into the

surrounding land. This project proved to be a successful breakthrough

initiative for Handmade Expressions, and has inspired us to identify

other artisan communities that can benefit from water filtration systems.

In early 2012, Handmade Expressions India team began a

sustainable development project to conserve water with the

block-printing community that makes our best-selling Eco Shopper

bags. A water treatment plant was installed by August at the artisans

workshop in Barmer, in western Rajasthan, to be used for

production of block-printed fabric. This will conserve 5 million liters of

water per year!

Water is a scarce and precious resource in the dry, desert

region of Barmer. Traditional hand block-printing requires an immense

volume of water to dye and print the fabric. This one group consumes

25,000 to 50,000 liters of water each day, which must be delivered

from surrounding regions. Until now, there has been no way to clean

or reuse, so wastewater with effluents was drained and absorbed into

the land.

Artisans save from purchasing less

water and are no longer at risk of

shutting down due to water scarcity.


CASE STUDY: production WATER CONSERVATION IN BARMER


COMPOSTABLE

PRODUCTS

Cotton Textiles

Hogla Baskets

Wood Toys and Accessories

Handmade Paper Stationery

Paper Journals

Leather Journals and Cases

LANDFILL

PRODUCTS

Upcycled Sari Products

Upcycled Plastic Bags

Mixed Materials that

cannot be separated

or disassembled

Components

(zippers, magnetic buttons)

RECYCLABLE

PRODUCTS

Metal Jewelry

Glass Beads

Copper Bells

Newspaper Bags

To Handmade Expressions, a sustainable product is

made up of a holistic combination of factors that consider

the impact along the entire lifecycle, from production

through reuse or disposal. While we focus on quality and

functionality to extend the useful lifespan of a product

and encourage reuse, we recognize at some point the

product will eventually be discarded. Therefore, we strive

to create products that are largely made from compostable

or recyclable materials and can be disassembled to offer

an alternative from traditional disposal. We hope the end

of one products life completes a loop, allowing for the

beginning of a new natural or industrial cycle.

Product Packaging

In 2012, in an effort to eliminate plastic poly bags, Handmade

Expressions developed basic bags made from upcycled saris to

package our products. Fully 100 product styles are now packed in

fabric sari bags! These not only reduce the plastic we use, the bags

also make use of scrap fabric that would otherwise go to landfills, and

they provide incomes to our artisan partners who stitch the bags.

There were a couple of issues that we had to address to make

this switch. First, since the sari bags are not transparent, our

warehouse team could not immediately see what products were

inside the bags. So we used identifying stickers and labels, which is a

system that works well in our warehouse. Next, we were not sure how

customers would react to the new packaging, or if the sari bags would

cause any merchandising challenges. Fortunately, weve had a great

response about the clever new packaging from our retail partners. In

fact, some have even asked us how they can get more sari bags!

end-of-life Of Current product line

lifecycle analysis

51% 28% 21%

Weve worked to improve the end-of-lifecycles of certain products last year. For example, originally our new Song Birds

were stuffed with a polyester fill; but our design team worked with artisans to change to a cotton fill, which makes these all

natural and compostable. We also try to ensure threads used for embroidery or stringing jewelry are cotton instead of nylon.

Such small steps do not affect the beauty or functionality of products, but they make big impacts on the environment.

Moving forward in 2013 and beyond, we hope to continue these efforts alongside consumer education to influence behavior

and help users understand the benefits of mindful reuse and disposal.

21

As a company concerned about sustainability, we have begun taking steps to measure our

operational impacts, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions and waste. While we do not have a

full benchmark of our total footprint yet, we hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding

in 2013 and set specific goals for reduction. In 2012, we began participating in an offset program

for carbon-neutral domestic shipping and a green energy program supporting renewable wind

energy in Texas. We hope to gain a more comprehensive benchmark of our operational impacts

in 2013 and set new goals for reduction.

PlanEt


Goal: Reduce air shipping volume by 20%

air shipping reduction

2011 stats10.29 tons of product shipped by air, effectively means

59.15 tons CO2 released

2012 goal8.32 tons air shipped, reduction of 11.83 tons of CO2

2012 results6.05 tons air shipped, reduction of 24.38 tons of CO2

>> This is equivalent to 11.2 passenger vehicles driven for a whole year.

WHYredUce air shiPpiNg

howTo reduce air shiPping

>> Air shipping releases 30 times more CO2 than shipping by sea

>> Air shipping is 10 times more expensive than sea shipping per pound

>> Aircrafts consume more oil and nonrenewable resources than ocean carriers

>> Air shipping perpetuates a culture of fast-consumerism in the United States

>> Advance production planning and inventory accuracy

>> Continual product launch process

>> Setting realistic expectations with customers

>> Effectively removed 4.6 passenger vehicles from the road for a year

>> Saved approximately $23,000

>> Recognizing the impact we are making, we continue monitoring to

further reduce and/or purchase offsets

reduced tOtal vOlUME and CO2 iMPAcT By 41%, far surpassing

our gOal!

One of our largest focus areas was to reduce our carbon output from air shipments. As an international product distribution company,

shipping impacts are inevitable. However, we want to keep these to a minimum, which is why we generally prefer to ship products by ocean

carrier. Sometimes air shipments are required for out-of-stock products and urgent customer needs; however, in 2012 we set a goal that

would require mindful effort and planning by the whole team to reduce our air shipping volume by 20 percent. By the end of the year, we far

surpassed our goal, reducing volume by 41 percent a major accomplishment!

23

In 2012 we moved into a larger office and warehouse, which allowed us to track and

benchmark energy use for the first time. Because of extreme summer heat in Texas, we saw our

energy use skyrocket in the summer months. While smaller steps such as utilizing natural

lighting, setting moderate temperature controls, and powering off computers and equipment

overnight helped a bit in our mid-year review, air conditioning is a necessity. Fortunately, we

discovered a local program through Austin Energy called GreenChoice, which charges a flat

energy rate year-round and ensures all energy costs go to support renewable energy sources in

Texas, particularly wind and solar. We even discovered our budget for energy would effectively

be the same! We joined in late summer of 2012, and are proud to be able to do our part to help

restore the environment.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE is an important motto for our office, and we encourage all team members to take steps to live it. We have a kitchen compost and recycling

bins for the office, and employees rotate weeks to take home or dispose of properly.

Our largest recycling effort is in our warehouse. We reuse boxes and packaging materials as

much as possible. All shipments to customers are packed with paper, magazines or other clean

waste from the office. Based on feedback from our customers, whenever possible we use only

one type of material per box so they can conveniently continue the practice of recycling on their

end. We purchase minimal new packaging materials for our office, which helps reduce waste and

keeps costs low.

We participate in UPS Carbon Neutral program

for domestic shipments to customers. These offsets

fund reforestation, wastewater treatment, and

cleaning landfill gas and methane destruction.

enErgy

waste

carbOn offseTting

Environmental Stewardship: REDUCE ENERGY AND WASTE IN THE OFFICE

throughOUt 2012, $227 Was CoNtributed tO offseT the CO2 outpuT from shipPing over

4,200 Packages.


this rEport is PriNTed on 100% POsT consUmer fiBEr. PleasE recyCle at ThE end of its UsE.

Moving Forward: SUSTAINABILITY INTEGRATION

AND TEAM ENGAGEMENT

2012 was a foundational year for building

sustainable thinking into Handmade Expressions

daily worklife. We created a company process matrix

to show each department how they directly affect our

sustainability goals and whereeach team member can

make a difference. Each department crafted guidelines

for operating in alignment with our sustainability values.

Moving forward in 2013, we plan to further

integrate sustainability throughout the business in a

measurable way. We hope to create a triple bottom line

for our business, accounting for our success in terms

of people and planet as well as profits. Budding from

goals to set comprehensive strategic planning, each

department is creating their own scorecards to measure

and report on how sustainability is the path along which

we operate.

BUILD TEAM INSPIRATION for sustainability initiatives,

including learning tours in India

and Engagement Plans

ACTIVELY INVOLVE RETAIL PARTNERS in sustainability efforts via our

merchandising and marketing collateral,

support for events, and partnership tour

program in India

STRENGTHEN OUR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT through new product development,

including two collections for high-need

artisan groups and made from

preferred eco materials

CREATE A RENEWED BRAND STRATEGY that conveys our passion for fair trade

and our guiding mission as a socially

responsible business

strategy

1

2

3

4

Here are our key strategies for 2013. We invite you to

follow our progress on these over the next year and

see what more is to come on our journey:

25

Handmade Expressions 512.535.5228 | www.handmadeexpressions.net

3007 Longhorn Blvd | Suite 113 | Austin, TX 78758

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Handmade Expressions Sustainability Report

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