Gayatri Devi, Rangsutra artisan

Sustainability & Impact

Weaving change,
one thread
at a time.

Every stitch we make carries the story of the person who made it. Here is ours.

At Rangsutra, impact is not an outcome — it is our purpose.
We are a 20-year-old artisan-owned enterprise where sustainability is woven into everything we make and every decision we take.

Impact at a glance

Our year in numbers.

2,330

Artisan shareholders owning 22% of Rangsutra

80%

Female artisans forming our skilled workforce

243.5t

CO₂e emissions avoided through sustainable sourcing

5.43×

Social return on investment — for every ₹1 we invest


84.5
B-Corp Score

We are a certified B Corporation.

In January 2024, Rangsutra earned its B-Corp certification — joining a select community of Indian social enterprises that balance purpose and profit. Our overall B-Impact score of 84.5 is well above the median of 50.9 for ordinary businesses, reflecting our commitment to workers, community, environment, and governance.

Social Impact

We are people first,
with artisans at the center
of everything we do.

Rangsutra artisan family

Rangsutra's journey began in 2006 in the drought-affected villages of Rajasthan, where 1,000 artisans each invested ₹1,000 to build their own enterprise. Today, we are India's leading artisan-owned organisation, with 2,330 artisan shareholders connecting rural craftspeople to global markets while preserving traditional skills.

As a social enterprise, we place artisans' wellbeing at the center of our mission — creating lasting impact through fair wages above market rates, on-the-job skill development, and wealth creation through artisan shareholding.

12%
Average increase in artisan wage this year
191
New artisan members joined our network
1,450
Training hours invested in artisan capacity
How we invest in our people

Investing in our artisans
to help them thrive.

Financial Independence

Artisan co-ownership model with democratic decision-making and shared economic empowerment.

Fair Wages

Average wage of ₹7,500 — 2.3× higher than the rural artisan average.

Access to Market

Direct market access, no middlemen — artisans earn the full value of their craft.

Safety & Hygiene

Clean, well-ventilated workspaces with drinking water, sanitation, and regular safety audits.

Capacity & Education

1,450 training hours this year in skills, design, and compliance.

Spaces & Infrastructure

Community centres built for collaboration, well-being, and dignity — not just production.


Economic Empowerment

Income grew
3x after joining
Rangsutra.

Insights from social impact survey conducted of artisans across our Barmer and Bikaner clusters in 2025. All artisans are paid above state minimum wages.

Average Monthly Income
Before Rangsutra
₹2,079
After Rangsutra
₹7,095

~241% increase in average monthly income.


Rangsutra artisans
Social Wellbeing Survey

What our artisans tell us.

Insights from 245 artisans across our Barmer and Bikaner clusters.

97% improved ability to support children's education
90% report higher community respect
90% increased food and nutrition spending
85% improved household decision-making
"

Rangsutra didn't just give me work — they gave me dignity, confidence, and a better life.

Chunni Devi · Embroidery Artisan · Pugal, Bikaner, Rajasthan

From ₹10-a-day contract labour to ₹5,000 monthly — a 1,400% increase in 10+ years with Rangsutra

Rangsutra artisan Rangsutra artisans at work Rangsutra artisan
Environmental Impact

We recognise our
responsibility to
the planet.

Our environmental strategy follows a cradle-to-cradle approach — reducing emissions, saving resources, and regenerating ecosystems at every stage of production. From the cotton we source to the energy we use, every choice is intentional.

243.5t
CO₂e avoided by sourcing BCI cotton — accounting for 83% of our raw material inputs
97.5 kW
Solar installed capacity — generating 38,529 kWh of clean energy and avoiding 28 tonnes CO₂e
60L
Water saved per kg of fabric through natural dyeing and ETP — vs 110L in conventional methods
Rangsutra artisan community Rangsutra artisan at work Rangsutra artisan crafts
Low-Carbon Production

Every metre we weave by hand saves the planet a little more.

By prioritising handloom and solar-powered production, we significantly reduce emissions at the point of manufacture. Our handlooms save 0.65 kgCO₂e per metre and our solar-powered looms save 0.60 kgCO₂e per metre compared to grid-powered alternatives.

0.65
kgCO₂e saved per metre via handloom
0.60
kgCO₂e saved per metre via solar loom
238
Handlooms across our production centres
Handloom weaving

Natural Dyeing

Organic colours. Chemical-free.
Good for skin. Good for the earth.

Natural dyeing

Our natural dyeing unit in Rajasar, Bikaner

We use organic colours derived from plant-based materials and chemical-free processes to create natural hues while protecting the environment. This approach avoids synthetic chemicals, reduces water pollution, requires less energy, and is healthier for the skin.

Our process uses only 50 litres of water per kilogram of fabric — saving 60 litres per kilogram compared to conventional cotton dyeing. It supports rural women trained in dyeing and weaving.

Shop Natural Dye Collection →

What our water savings mean

Our water savings this year are equivalent to:

1,400
bucket baths
avoided
3,500–7,000
toilet flushes
avoided
350
washing machine
cycles saved
156
days of water for
one urban resident

What our emissions savings mean

Our savings this year are equivalent to:

90
acres of forest
conserved for a year
1,688
flights avoided
per passenger
1,122
tree saplings
grown for 10 years
3,569
households powered
for one month
Governance

Rooted in ownership,
transparency, and
grassroots voices.

At Rangsutra, governance goes beyond compliance. With rural artisans — mostly women — as co-owners, our framework ensures grassroots voices shape decisions. An active Board with artisan representation, fair-trade policies, and transparent processes anchor participatory decision-making.

22%
Shares owned by artisan shareholders
40%
Board diversity with artisan representation
28%
Women on the Board of Directors

Inclusive Ownership

Artisans are co-owners with Board representation. Decisions are made with, not just for, our artisan community.

Transparency

Open communication through annual reports, regular audits, and a whistle-blower policy for secure, anonymous reporting of misconduct.

Fair Trade & Ethics

Equitable value, ethical sourcing, sustainable resources. Our Supplier Code of Conduct mandates fair wages, no forced labour, and eco-responsibility.

Producer Council

A unique forum of elected artisan representatives meets twice a year to share feedback and directly shape company priorities.

Rangsutra governance

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our work is aligned
with five global goals.

SDG 1
No Poverty

2,330+ artisans lifted above the poverty line. ₹40.07 crores of additional income generated. Sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.

SDG 5
Gender Equality

80% women artisans employed. Equal pay for equal work. Women in leadership with 28% board representation.

SDG 7
Clean Energy

97.5 kW solar installed capacity. 28 tCO₂e avoided through clean energy. 6 solar looms reducing fossil fuel dependence.

SDG 8
Decent Work

Fair wages above minimum standards. Skills training and capacity building. Promotion of local culture and traditional crafts.

SDG 12
Responsible Production

83% sustainable cotton. Waste reduction initiatives. Life cycle assessment. Sustainable supply chain practices.


Our 2030 commitment
Our 2030 Commitment

We see sustainability not as a destination, but as a journey.

Building on our progress in livelihoods, social impact, and environmental responsibility, we are aligning our future with global climate goals while staying true to the voices of our artisan shareholders.

119 tCO₂e
↓ 25%
94 tCO₂e by 2030

Our emissions reduction pathway is aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) at 1.5°C — targeting a 25% absolute reduction in Scope 1 + 2 emissions by 2030. This is equivalent to approximately 4.2% annual reductions.

Inclusive Growth

Broaden artisan incomes, increase the number of artisans employed, and expand shareholding and leadership representation across our communities.

Environmental Stewardship

Strengthen our sustainability practices through greater adoption of BCI cotton, natural dyeing, chemical-free processes, renewable energy, and solar-powered production — while scaling water savings of 60L per kg of fabric.

Innovation & Collaboration

Build partnerships that accelerate fair trade, climate-aligned practices, and inclusive economic growth. We invite those who share our values to walk this journey with us.

Rangsutra artisan Rangsutra artisans Rangsutra craft