SAFFRON footprint is Eco Shepherd’s ethical textile and textile product sourcing initiative for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) developed to advance Living Wage and low impact sustainable sourcing from India. For us, transparency, accessibiliy and ethics are fundamental.
Eco Shepherd is an exporter from India, with strong logistics support on the ground there through our New Delhi office. As a social enterprise, our MOQs are low, our prices to clients are economically viable even for SMEs because we eliminate the middlemen.
Keeping ethical and sustainable sourcing prices comparable to SMEs current supply chain is an essential part of The Saffron Project’s mission. The prerequisite for SMEs to transition to a sustainable business model must be economic viability.
Studies indicate that cost is the main reason most often cited by SMEs for not transitoning to green (or putting together an action plan to change), yet most SMEs don’t know if going green will increase or maintain their current cost levels. SAFFRON footprint takes away that uncertainty. We ensure that workers are paid the equivalent of India’s Living Wage. On average, this is 2.7 times more than India’s Minimum Wage. The SAFFRON footprint aims to help India’s workers rise from surviving to "thriving".
In textiles, we have a roster of partners providing ethically produced, naturally dyed linen and cotton, and women-only sewing and high quality Cut Make Trim (CMT) services with zero waste.
As a social enterprise avoiding any unfair trade practices by middlemen, we aim to provide brands with a competitvely priced alternative to mass-production while making sure that artisans and workers are remunerated Living Wage equivalent.
By cutting out the middlemen, working with purpose-led partners, and promoting women-based cooperatives, small producers and artisans over mass-produced alternatives, SAFFRON footprint provides brands with an incredible story of ethics and sustainability to share with your consumers. Without dramatically altering your bottom line. This is the future of business.
Tell us your requirements for potential sourcing out of India, as we may be able to help. We also have resources available to support your packaging or product labelling needs.
