impact by design

re-wrap was founded over twenty years ago with a simple yet powerful intention: to be a catalyst for positive impact on people and planet. As an impact-led business, we have always held this intention in every stitch of our product. We are continuously reviewing, reflecting and trying new ways to increase our impact, both within our business and through our grant partners  

our evolving impact

re-wrap is taking an exciting next step in our journey by officially becoming a Community Interest Company (UK CIC), a business model that locks in community benefit. While re-wrap has supported nonprofits in both India and the UK over the last twenty years, becoming a CIC means financial giving is now built into the structure of our business and reinforces our commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate.  

As a result of this change, we can no longer hold B Corp certification as it is not available to businesses with a CIC structure. We remain committed to high ethical, social, and environmental standards and will continue holding WFTO, GOTS, and GRS certifications for our products.

looking to the future

All of these elements of our work come together in our ‘Impact by Design’ framework, which embeds impact-led decision-making across every part of our business and of our giving. The foundation of this framework rests on our three core pillars of product, people, and planet.

Over the next few months, we will continue to develop our ‘Impact by Design’ framework further to ensure that our work always remains relevant, actionable and effective. We look forward to sharing more about our vision, our progress, and the impact we’re creating together. 

the three pillars of our impact-led business

product.

we meticulously craft reusable products with care in every stitch

people.

we fuel opportunities for people to thrive with independence

planet.

we conserve nature with the aim of creating a future resilient planet

All statistics from 2022

in-unit initiatives

on-site printing facility

This year we expanded our in-house printing facility at our Mysore creation unit, which means that most of our tote bags are now printed on-site. This in-house investment allows us to reduce the carbon footprint of our product. We now offer manual screen printing at the same bright and airy site where our bags are cut and sewn. This exciting development provides livelihood and up skilling for a team of 20 artisans.

Screen printing requires a significant amount of water, so we’ve invested in an on-site treatment facility that keeps it in a closed-loop system. Any treated water that leaves this cycle is used to care for plants in our creation unit garden, which in turn helps replenish the local groundwater—a resource essential to life in India

our commitment to renewable energy

Our offices in Bangalore and creation units in Mysore and Gumballi are all fitted with solar panels, which we use to generate all of our electricity.

Our office space in London uses 100% renewable energy. Environmental impact was a significant consideration when looking for our energy efficient new base. 

At re-wrap, we aim to use the earth’s resources respectfully, always mindful of the environmental footprint we generate while creating our product and supporting our people.

At re-wrap, 95% of our workforce is made up of underserved women who face significant challenges. Our mission is to equip them with the tools to improve their lived outcome, offering more than just fair wages. Artisans receive health insurance, pension benefits, and support through self-help groups that encourage savings and provide emergency relief. With mentorship, technical training, and life skills development, they not only strengthen their craft but also build confidence, resilience, and pride in their work.

We prioritise care for every member of our value chain, grounded in a safe and supportive workplace. Our Mysore unit includes a health centre, dining hall, and crèche for working mothers. And all our artisans have access to health and social workers for everyday wellbeing. Artisans are empowered to participate in leadership committees, ensuring their voices shape our organisation and that re-wrap truly reflects the community it serves.

support for artisans

We bring ideas to life using CLO 3D technology, creating digital samples that let our patrons play, experiment, and shape their designs before any fabric is cut.

This digital first approach, means less waste, fewer prototypes by cutting down on unnecessary fabric usage. It also substantially reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and transporting multiple samples worldwide. 

CLO 3D allows us to align the creative process with careful consideration and responsibility.

3D sampling technology

certifications

re-wrap remains dedicated to doing our best for our product, our people and our planet. Certifications are just one tool we use to measure and share our impact with patrons and partners. As an impact-led business, we strive to achieve lasting impact across our value chain from ‘Seed-to-Shop’. 

  • The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) is the global community and verifier of enterprises that fully practice their 10 Fair Trade Principles.

  • GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

  • The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international certification that verifies the recycled content of products, ensures responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices in production, and provides traceability throughout the supply chain. It helps brands and consumers confirm that materials are genuinely recycled and sustainably processed.

  • While not a certification, a Community Interest Company (UK CIC), is a company that operates to provide a benefit to the community it serves. CICs prioritise community benefit over private profit. 

  • Social Enterprise UK is the world’s largest network of businesses with a social purpose, working together to create a fairer economy and a better future for everyone.

giving

For over 20 years re-wrap has been committed to our philanthropic giving across our value chain in the UK and in India. To make an enduring, positive impact in underserved communities outside our direct reach, we partner with like-minded organisations. In line with our values, our philanthropy is also defined by our 3 Ps, which we have adapted to address local needs and priorities:  

 

  • product: preserving heritage crafts & designing for a future resilient planet 

  • people: creating opportunities for underserved communities to thrive with independence 

  • planet: conserving nature by reducing waste in all the communities we serve 

 

Our goal is to build lasting partnerships with our grantees to deliver enduring impact. This year, our grantees are working on projects related to health and wellbeing, livelihoods training, historical preservation and the future of textiles.  

grantees

Asan works on improving menstrual health and hygiene outcomes for underserved women across India. They provide free menstrual cups, along with awareness building sessions to educate women about their sexual and reproductive health. With their grant, Asan is serving a marginalized community of waste pickers in Mysore to enable them to live and work safely.  

APD (The Association of People with Disability) provides healthcare, education, employment, and advocacy interventions to empower people with disabilities to live full, productive lives. With re-wrap’s support, APD is launching their Community Mental Health Programme in Tumkur, Karnataka. This program offers patients and caregivers end-to-end support in tackling debilitating mental illnesses and thriving in their lives.  

Based in Islington (London), Body & Soul focuses on supporting children, adolescents and adults tackling suicidality. They exclusively serve underserved communities who face unique and complex needs. Their 2025 grant is designed to strengthen their flagship suicide prevention programme, which provides critical care to patients and recent survivors as they return to their independent lives.  

Down the road from our London office in Shoreditch, Fat Macy’s supports people in their move from temporary accommodation to private tenancy through culinary and hospitality training, along with counselling and financial support. This year, Fat Macy’s received funding to build their internal capacity with the goal of creating opportunities for beneficiaries to earn and thrive independently. 

Food Behind Bars works with prisons in the UK, using food as a tool for change to positively impact the lives of prisoners. Their interventions include skilling programmes for prison catering teams, and food education and kitchen garden programmes for prisoners. The 2025 grant supports their education solution that helps prison catering teams deliver high impact meals on tight budgets.  

This North London women’s shelter provides critical care and support to survivors of abuse, migrants, refugees, and other at-risk populations. re-wrap supports Hopscotch’s employment programme, which helps women facing hardship in their transitions to employment through skills training and confidence building interventions.  

INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) is a national nonprofit dedicated to brick-and-mortar conservation, as well as outreach and awareness building for all age groups. Our 2025 grant supports the research and publication of their forthcoming book on the Hoysala dynasty (whose empire included modern day Mysore, where our creation units are based today) and its unique culture of artisanal workmanship in Karnataka.   

The UAL: Centre for Sustainable Fashion was founded with the goal to provoke, challenge, and question the status quo to shape a system that recognises the implications of fashion on ecology and equity. In 2025, with re-wrap’s support, the CSF is developing a curriculum for the future of fashion education through the lens of sustainability with a focus on elevating underrepresented voices.  

VIHAAN works across India to tackle and prevent human trafficking and exploitation. Along with rescue and advocacy efforts, they provide rehabilitation and reintegration programs to ensure survivors can lead independent, dignified lives. re-wrap provides funding and resources for their shelter home stitching programs in Bangalore.