Sustainability

We won't pretend vinyl placemats are an environmental product. Here is what we do, and what we don't claim.

Packed in paper

Every North India Company placemat and runner is packed in a kraft paper mailer, printed with our crest in a single ink. Paper is recycled widely, and the mailer can go in with household paper and card in most areas. Remove any shipping label you can, flatten it and recycle it, or reuse it as gift wrap or for your next parcel. Local rules vary, so check with your municipality if you're unsure.

Made to be used for years

Our pieces are vinyl, and we would rather be honest about that than call them eco-friendly. What we can say is that they are made for years of dinners, and caring for them takes only a damp cloth. They never need a washing machine, a dryer or an iron.

Looking after them

The longer a placemat lasts, the fewer need making. Our care guide covers everything that keeps them looking new: wiping instead of washing, trivets under hot dishes, and storing them flat.

At the end of their life

Vinyl (PVC, resin code 3) is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs, so please check your local rules rather than putting a worn placemat in the recycling bin. Before that, consider giving it a second life: under plant pots, in a drawer as a liner, or under a pet's bowls.

What's next

We'll keep this page up to date as our packaging changes, and we will only ever describe what we actually do.