Parali by Aarushi is a sustainable textile initiative founded by Aarushi Mittal, a graduate of the University of the Arts London. The project addresses the environmental impact of parali—rice straw residue left after harvesting. In India, this agricultural by-product is often burned to clear fields quickly, contributing significantly to air pollution and hazardous air quality levels in cities such as Delhi.
Rather than being incinerated, the rice straw is upcycled into biodegradable and compostable textiles. Parali by Aarushi works directly with farms to reduce transport-related carbon emissions and follows a circular production system in which manufacturing offcuts are reused to produce tags, paper and packaging materials. The initiative also collaborates with and trains rural women and weavers to work with this renewable material.
The resulting textile applications combine rice straw with organic cotton and are used in interior and lifestyle products such as coasters, table runners, table mats, rugs, blinds, chair cushions and wall hangings. Many products are customisable in size and detailing, with finishes including hand knotting and stitching.
Through material innovation and craft-based production, Parali by Aarushi aims not only to offer compostable textile alternatives but also to raise awareness about agricultural burning, the lifecycle of food production and the broader environmental implications of waste management.
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