Sustainability
Our commitment to reducing environmental impact
Made in Nepal
Tibetan rug making is a long time tradition and ancient Nepalese craft. We are fortunate to have a longstanding relationship with our Nepalese counterpart whose quality is of the highest standard and executed by skilled artisans.
Locally Sourced
To ensure we are not expanding our carbon footprint, it is important we support the local community. With the exception of silk which comes from China, we source all materials from local Nepalese suppliers.
Machine-Free
Each stage of the rug making process from sorting to dying of the yarn are performed by hand. Passed down through generations it is a process that takes time, patience, and skill.
No Backing or Glues
A key part of being sustainable is to be able to specify each material used in our products. Our rugs are made without glues, latex, or backing.
Vegetable Dyes
Vegetable, or natural, dyes are derived from herbs, plants, and vegetables such as madder root, pomegranate peel, safflower, walnut shells, and indigo. They can be matched to any color and form beautiful, organic gradations due to the unprocessed quality of the pigment. All types of yarn will absorb dyes in their own unique way, creating natural color variations across each dye lot.
Natural Material Options
New Zealand wool is naturally durable, renewable, and biodegradable. It’s valued for its softness and resilience, with inherent stain resistance, hypoallergenic properties, and the ability to regulate temperature and moisture.
Tibetan wool is a soft, yet durable, yarn locally sourced from the Himalayas. This versatile material can range from 60 knots for a heavy, woven look to 150 knots for more intricate designs.
Silk is one of the most widely-known fibers, given its delicate and luxurious appearance – best suited for residential or low-traffic areas. It can be blended with other yarns, depending on application or budget. Because of its more fragile nature, silk needs special care to help maintain its lavish look and feel.
Cactus is similar to sisal in texture and strength, making it suitable for medium to high traffic areas, but has a softer feel. This yarn can be hand-knotted or flat-woven, depending on the application, and can be used in its natural color or dyed to another hue.
“Tencel” is the brand name for a fiber called Lyocell. Derived from wood pulp and sourced from sustainably-grown forests, the production process is a closed-loop system in which the chemicals used to produce this yarn are recycled. The fiber is soft and smooth, making it suitable as a silk alternative. It is best used for residential or low-traffic areas and can be dyed in any color.
GoodWeave Certified
Lucy Tupu Studio is a proud partner of GoodWeave since 2016. As a partner, we are ensuring children are protected and not forced to labor. We help provide better working conditions and support educational programs with local schools. Each order we receive includes a GoodWeave label and unique code tracing it's licensed producer.
