Rice & Carry Bags Shop
Rice & Carry Bags Shop
5
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Rice & carry is a social enterprise whose aim is not to optimize profits but to empower and positively impact communities on Sri Lanka's east coast. We provide work in a small centralized production unit as well as within homes in different villages. Our makers are women from rural areas who have worked with us to become creative and professional manufacturers. Our shop displays all our products.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
25 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dani C
Bequia161 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
I came here looking for gifts to take home to friends because I had heard the goods were locally produced and fair trade. I bought ten handwoven beach towels and was given a 10% discount (they weren’t cheap, but happy to pay for good quality). The stock is lovely and well made. Fun bags and pouches made from rice sacking and other cute items. Recommend for tourist shopping to support the local economy!
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
45Gill
Adelaide, Australia6 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I read about this shop back in Australia and knew I had to visit. I love this shop, the products are really good. Keep up the good work and love what you are doing.
Written 22 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zepha Jackson
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Rice and Carry is a beautiful social enterprise that I feel in love with as soon as I heard their story and saw their products. Based on recycling and empowering the local communities they create beautiful products that I will forever cherish. Product made with love and respect and values attached are what I like to support and will always be my preference for a true reflection of a country i’m visiting on oppose to disposable products you often find in gift shops. Henry and Susi have created an incredible movement in Sri Lanka and I highly suggest not missing the opportunity to check out Rice and Carry while your here!
Written 15 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ollie_Pollard
London, UK7 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Well what can I say. Don't visit A-Bay and not visit the Rice&Carry Shop!
Firstly, the products are really great, well made and beautiful - from the tote bags, yoga mat bags to the new wax combs. Secondly, they are made from up-cycled hessian (spice sacks), plastic (rice sacks and melted plastic bags!) and fair trade materials and a big part of R&C's mission it seems is to bring more awareness and action to Sri Lanka about the impact of plastic on the environment. Thirdly... if all that wasn't enough the products are made on the East Coast of Sri Lanka in areas where jobs and economic opportunities are few and far between by women. Women that mostly wouldn't have the chance to work and earn a fair living and all the empowerment that brings.
All in all its just a great brand and mission (I'd almost say an iconic brand within SL!!) you can really feel proud to have slung over your shoulder!!
The shop is small and welcoming, but just off the end of the main strip - well worth the walk though!!
Firstly, the products are really great, well made and beautiful - from the tote bags, yoga mat bags to the new wax combs. Secondly, they are made from up-cycled hessian (spice sacks), plastic (rice sacks and melted plastic bags!) and fair trade materials and a big part of R&C's mission it seems is to bring more awareness and action to Sri Lanka about the impact of plastic on the environment. Thirdly... if all that wasn't enough the products are made on the East Coast of Sri Lanka in areas where jobs and economic opportunities are few and far between by women. Women that mostly wouldn't have the chance to work and earn a fair living and all the empowerment that brings.
All in all its just a great brand and mission (I'd almost say an iconic brand within SL!!) you can really feel proud to have slung over your shoulder!!
The shop is small and welcoming, but just off the end of the main strip - well worth the walk though!!
Written 22 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NATD01
Brisbane, Australia51 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Cute sustainably made bags made from recycled materials. Plus they also support local fair trade production. What a great idea!
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura F
Bristol, UK4 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Just off the main strip of shops in Arugam Bay and a few minutes walk from the beach, a visit to the Rice & Carry shop is definitely a must-do during a stay in the Arugam area. It's a fantastic and inspiring example of a brilliant local social enterprise tackling problems of employment for women alongside environmental and plastic pollution issues. And the products are amazing - a huge range of bags and a few other items all made from upcycled plastic rice bags, hessian sacks and carrier bags. There are loads of different designs from little purses to sports bags and every item is unique and really high quality. I bought a whole range of products for myself and as perfect gifts for friends back home, which everyone loved! The shop is also a cool place to visit with its rustic, up cycled design and the staff were really friendly and happy to chat about the company and what they are doing. Loved it!
Written 30 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wenckemohr
Copenhagen, Denmark5 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
This is such a lovely enterprise. The general idea of recycling used rice bags, hessian sacks and waste plastic material and make them into quality bags, valets and other useful items, is in so many ways brilliant. First of all, Rice & Carry products have a beautiful design, secondly the quality is really good and long lasting. But maybe most of all, the idea behind the products embraces the modern and conscious traveler that cares for the environment and the gender perspective in a culture that often leaves women with few options regarding making their own income. I love it!
The shop is well assorted and you will find the people engaged in the project very friendly.
You will definitely find a bag that serves your needs or a perfect and meaningful gift for others.
I can only recommend a visit to the shop or the Rice & Carry homepage!Â
The shop is well assorted and you will find the people engaged in the project very friendly.
You will definitely find a bag that serves your needs or a perfect and meaningful gift for others.
I can only recommend a visit to the shop or the Rice & Carry homepage!Â
Written 13 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fanny c
7 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
I fell in love with this company... really beautiful work!
Good job for locals, for our Mother Earth and for consumers... Great to have the opportunity to buy products that benefit all of us!! Congrats!!!!
Good job for locals, for our Mother Earth and for consumers... Great to have the opportunity to buy products that benefit all of us!! Congrats!!!!
Written 23 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLimpWhisk
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Lovely store just by the beach, a minutes walk from the main strip. Great pro's the the shop are the friendly staff, clean, well laid out store, which is something of a rarity on the strip. Offering a nice selection of sustainable, eco friendly, repurposed bags and wallets made from old rice sacks.
Only cons were, the products were on the pricey side, but this was no major problem as the company is non-profit driven. Along with the print of the bag we purchased starting to rub off from the first use.
Overall, worth a visit and it's all for a good cause.
Only cons were, the products were on the pricey side, but this was no major problem as the company is non-profit driven. Along with the print of the bag we purchased starting to rub off from the first use.
Overall, worth a visit and it's all for a good cause.
Written 19 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie V
4 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Great company, fair trade, women who are gifted! I highly recommend this shop, and all t the products which are super resistant ! After one year usage of my wallet, Sri Lankan vibes are still alive :)
Written 18 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rice & Carry Bags Shop
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