Aftertaste

What is the manufacturing process?

At Aftertaste Foundation, our manufacturing process is entirely handcrafted, people-driven, and purpose-led. Every product begins with design conceptualisation, where our in-house team and artisans collaborate to merge traditional craft techniques with functional, contemporary aesthetics. We adapt heritage skills like hand-painting, embroidery, crochet, macramé, and fabric crafts to suit modern utility and style. Once the design is finalised, we source sustainable and ethically procured materials, prioritising upcycled fabrics, eco-friendly components, and locally available resources. Materials are carefully inspected to ensure durability and consistency.

What are the ingredients/materials you use?

Fabrics – cotton, jute, canvas, felt, and other natural textiles, often upcycled from surplus production or donated fabric to reduce waste. Threads & Yarns – cotton and jute yarns for crochet, macramé, and embroidery, prioritising natural fibres wherever possible. Wood & MDF – for bases, frames, and functional décor, sourced from responsible suppliers. Natural & Non-toxic Paints – safe acrylic and fabric paints used for hand-painting, ensuring both artisan safety and product longevity. Beads, Buttons & Embellishments – often repurposed or sourced from sustainable vendors to add unique detailing. Paper & Packaging – recycled paper, minimal plastic, and eco-friendly packaging materials to reduce our environmental footprint. Whenever possible, we upcycle materials from textile industry waste, giving discarded fabrics and trims a new life as beautiful, functional products. This approach not only lowers costs for sustainable production but also minimises landfill waste.

How do you source your raw materials/ ingredients?

We prioritise local sourcing wherever possible, working with trusted suppliers in and around our region to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy. Many of our fabrics, yarns, and embellishments are purchased from small-scale vendors, local markets, and artisan supply networks, ensuring that our spending benefits other small businesses and craftspeople.

During its life and beyond, can your products be repurposed or composted at home?

During their life cycle, our products can be cleaned, maintained, and even creatively altered to extend usability — a fabric pouch can become a storage organiser, a festive décor item can be turned into a wall hanging, and jars, trays, or boxes can be reimagined for everyday use. We encourage customers to see each product not as disposable, but as something that can evolve with their needs. When a product reaches the end of its life, many of our materials — such as cotton, jute, and felt — can be composted at home, returning safely to the earth. Wooden and MDF components can be sanded and reused for DIY projects. Even small elements like beads and buttons can be recovered for craft or upcycling. Where composting isn’t possible, we encourage dismantling products to separate biodegradable and recyclable parts, reducing landfill waste.

Aftertaste was founded by Shalini Datta in 2013 after she quit her her corporate career as a technologist and joined TFI. While working with the children from the community, she met the mothers and she witnessed the appalling disparities and lack of basic opportunities for these women. That led her to create an opportunity for them and take one step at a time to resolve these