Tula India adopts zero waste packaging at Karpagam Gardens store in Adyar

The clothing label Tula India, located at Karpagam Gardens in Adyar, has implemented a series of eco-friendly, zero-waste packaging and transport practices to eliminate its carbon footprint and reduce plastic waste. The ongoing initiative focuses on reusing materials throughout the production and retail process, while also supporting local community initiatives.

According to Sushmitha R.K., a designer at Tula India, the brand's sustainable approach begins long before garments reach the store shelves. Cotton is transported to the facility in airtight plastic sacks that are reused year after year. Meanwhile, woven fabrics are moved between production units in reusable sack bags rather than new packaging. This cycle prevents the store from purchasing and discarding new plastic covers.

At the retail store in Karpagam Gardens, garments are displayed without individual plastic covers. While customers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags, the store has alternative options for those who forget. Tula India offers newspaper bags made by autistic adults using recycled newspapers, as well as reusable cloth bags stitched from leftover organic cotton fabric scraps.

Sushmitha explained that any large pieces of fabric left over after garment production are used to make these cloth bags, which are often pieced together from two or three different fabric scraps. Larger retail parcels are also wrapped in these leftover fabric pieces, while smaller consignments are sent out in paper envelopes.

Despite high customer demand, the store refuses to sell these cloth bags. Sushmitha stated that the bags are not for sale because there is no purpose in buying another bag just to own it when customers already have bags at home. To further encourage mindful consumer habits, the store uses posters and in-store conversations to prompt shoppers to rethink disposable packaging.