Sustainable Practices in Obeetee Carpets: Celebrating Earth Day

Every year on 22nd April, the world unites to celebrate Earth Day. Once started as an initiative to raise awareness about the well-being of our planet, Earth Day today is a global event. Before the legal establishment of this movement, it was started by a nonprofit organization( earthday.org), people were unaware of the environmental pollution, ecological damage, and the unsustainable practices that used to drive the world. However, much of it still exists, but it is because of this movement that people have started to go sustainable and preserve the earth for future generations.

In the contemporary world, people are concerned about the environment. From businesses to the common men, everyone is playing their part toward a sustainable future. Following the footsteps of Senator Gaylord Nelson, Congressman Pete McCloskey, and renowned environmental advocate Denis Hayes, the men behind the establishment of this initiative, we at Obeetee Carpets do our best to make the world a better place. Although Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 for the 1st time, we at Obeetee have been in the industry for the past century. Since then, we have been following sustainable practices. A lot has changed in the last 100 years, and so has our approach towards sustainability. In recent years we have expanded our sustainable measures from just water conservation to power generation and production processes. We have incorporated the latest technology to give us the best output with reduced carbon emissions.

Below listed are a few steps we follow at our manufacturing unit in Mirzapur, situated on the banks of the river Ganges, to ensure that there is little to no harm to the environment.

1. Treating water as a resource- A dominant portion of the Earth is covered with water, yet we consider it as a resource. Only 1% of the water existing on our planet is useful, thus, we need to make sure to preserve, respect, and make the best use of what we To achieve this goal, we have installed a fully-fledged water management system at our post-production factory. The management system comes with a 3-step cycle, one at each water usage process. The water used to dye the yarns, wash the carpets, and clean the spaces is passed from a well-constructed drainage system. Initially, the water goes through a primary cleaning tank, followed by a passage to make it free from the bacteria and industrial solvents used in making the dyes. Finally, the treated water that is safe for the environment is drained out in the agricultural fields beside our factory.

2. Conserving natural resources- Conserving natural resources and managing our energy needs sustainably is a part of our initiatives 30% of our power is generated via solar panels installed at the rooftops of our facility. This not only helps us save up to 37,666 trees per year but also reduces CO2

At our dying units, we use rice husks instead of coal to generate energy, eventually saving an additional 74,000 trees per year.

We generate our PET yarn. Per month we recycle 5,40,000 plastic bottles to make the 6000 kg of

PET yarn necessary for production. We are dedicated to using renewable sources of energy and natural raw materials to ensure a greener future.

3. Use of eco-friendly materials- At Our Obeetee Carpets, we prioritize responsible sourcing of raw materials, emphasizing the use of eco-friendly and natural fibers. Our selection includes natural hand-spun wool, unwoven hand-spun linen, BCI cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, hemp, and jute. These renewable materials are biodegradable and have minimal environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives, thereby reducing our carbon footprint throughout the production process. By choosing natural fibers, we not only create luxurious carpets but also promote sustainable farming methods and support local communities' livelihoods. Even in our design phase, we opt for dyes derived from natural sources like indigo, saffron, and walnut shells to achieve colors such as blue, yellow, and brown respectively. Additionally, we have integrated azo-free dyes into some collections to further enhance our commitment to eco-conscious

4. Waste reduction- We keep on exploring new sustainable methods for waste reduction. From using pre-heated water for dyeing yarns to reusing the same for washing the carpets, we make sure nothing is being wasted unnecessarily. Carpet making can be a labor-intensive job. While many companies have started using machines to craft carpets, we actively collaborate and reach out to local artisanal communities to keep the tradition of handmade crafts alive, eventually reducing the operating cost and resources of

Our sustainable steps include using water sensibly, reducing waste, using renewable sources of energy, recycling materials to make yarns, and using eco-friendly materials to craft carpets. This not only makes our carpets enhance the aesthetics of a space but also represents our commitment towards conserving the Earth for future generations. From consumers’ perspective, supporting companies like ours encourages sustainability and fosters conscious decision-making to safeguard our planet for future generations. Let us all unite in our efforts and take a pledge this Earth Day to contribute towards a sustainable and greener environment for the future.