Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability

Staggering volumes of unwanted wild natural plants are made use of

Our environmental sustainability practices are centered around the fact that we primarily use eco-friendly raw materials for manufacturing – natural plant fibers that are easily made abundant from the wild, such as water hyacinth, seagrass, rattan, etc.

For strategic and ecological reasons, Oricraft focuses a bit predominantly on water hyacinth, which is obviously unwanted and known to jeopardize the habitats where they grow, usually killing surrounding aquatic creatures. We maintain, however, certain fair shares of products utilizing seagrass and rattan, whose ecological benefits are more evident.

Regardless of the raw material consumed, we place a pronounced emphasis on sustainable harvesting practices with our farmers. In recent years, we have started to increase our sourcing of commercially cultivated rattan and even water hyacinth, due to supply shortages (especially during peak seasons).

We virtually use no hardwood in making our products; any wood (though a small portion of all raw materials used) would mostly be acacia, a legitimate [soft] wood that is commercially planted in vast areas for fairly quick harvesting (within 5 years). Moreover, all of the acacia wood we use for production is FSC-certified.

893

Rattan & bamboo craft villages in Vietnam

246

Water-hyacinth and seagrass craft villages.

36,500

Tons of wild-harvested rattan (annual output)

132,000

Tons of seagrass in annual output

400,000

Tons of water hyacinth in annual output

Environmental Impact

Transforming the global homeware industry

Eco-friendly Raw Materials

Diversified natural plant fibers

While rattan, seagrass, and water hyacinth are the three most common raw materials used in the manufacturing of wicker home products in Vietnam, there are recent alternatives, notably river club-rus and cattail. Due to some restraints in the mass production of cattail weaving caused by one of its physical attributes, river club-rus has become a highly potential candidate for mass production as it possesses numerous advantages over conventional materials: high resistance to moisture, excellent durability, lower cost, and less competition in sourcing.

Water hyacinth

Widespread in Southern Vietnam

Seagrass

Abundant in Northern Vietnam

Rattan

Ample in Central Vietnam

Jute

Scattered in South & North

River club-rush

Plenty in Southern Vietnam

Cattail

Abundant in Mekong Delta

Responsible Material Sourcing

Sustainable Harvesting Practices

Adopt Controlled Harvesting

We harvest regularly to manage overgrowth and prevent ecological disruption like oxygen depletion in water bodies.

Monitor Post-Harvest Regrowth

We monitor regrowth to maintain ecological balance, and ensure water flow & regenerated materials for next seasons.

Use Manual or Low-Impact Tools

We mainly adopt manual harvesting or some small-capacity mechanical equipment in peak season; no damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Decentralize Community Processing

We only collaborate with small-scale, community-based craft villages to avoid overexploitation and harsh price competition.

Social Responsibility

People & Communities are key to our continued success

We empower people working with us and help our associated communities thrive.

People

We offer opportunities to numerous young, fresh potential graduates who are often deemed unqualified by other organizations. We foster women’s development and prioritize taking on female staff (Female employees account for 80% of our personnel). We care for the people working for us and keep them committed for the long term.

Communities

We work with a large number of farmers and weavers across Vietnam. We respect, treasure, inspire, instruct, and encourage them to work hard to earn a good or stable living. We ensure there is no child or forced labor. We help secure the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people across the country, notably in the South. We have built thriving communities of farmers and weavers with diligence and positivity.

Governance

Maintain adequate corporate governance