Oorja's Design Director, Jenny Pinto, is Crafting Stunning Lights Using Forest Residue

Light doesn’t just illuminate our spaces; it shapes the way we live. But what if the light that brightens our homes could also give back to the planet? That is exactly what Jenny Pinto has been doing with Oorja, a sustainable lighting brand that needs no introduction.

Oorja is now taking its vision a step further with its new arm, Shades of Green, created for today's mindful buyers who are treading gently but purposefully towards a safer environment for all. Pinto and her team are redefining the way we experience light in our homes, crafting stunning pieces out of forest residue and other waste materials. The results are designs that not only stand out but also carry no guilt, only pride.

We caught up with her at the newly launched Oorja Centre in Bengaluru, where this philosophy shines brighter than ever.

RR: How do you define sustainable lighting in 2025?

Jenny Pinto: You know, frankly, I don't like the word 'sustainable'. I feel it is now being used loosely. So, I would rather use the term 'circular design,' which is part of the circular economy. To me, lighting that, at the end of its life, should not be thrown away but somehow come back into the cycle. I know that, when it comes to bulbs, for instance, it's not always possible—the technology still has to be refined. But at least the materials that your lights are made of should be reusable or biodegradable. Ours are—like the paper we use—all our materials can biodegrade completely. The paper and metal we use can be recycled. India has a big recycling market, so all the metal can be recycled. We also tell our customers that they are free to bring the product back to us for reconditioning or repair. To me, taking responsibility for the product at the end of its life is what I call a responsible brand. You need to take responsibility for the materials. So, instead of calling it sustainable, I prefer to say it's circular and responsible design.

RR: What is the most common misconception people have about eco-friendly lighting products?

Jenny Pinto: I don’t think there are misconceptions, but awareness is lacking. People focus on aesthetics first, then labels, and maybe affordability—though not so much in the luxury market.

RR: Have you noticed a genuine rise in demand for sustainable lighting, or is it still a niche preference?

Jenny Pinto: Not more than 10% of our customers buy because of our sustainable processes and materials. Most of them come for the design. Design still reigns supreme. If consumers become more aware and start looking for responsibly made products, supply will follow. That’s why we do Shades of Green—we encourage design students and young people to build awareness, because in twenty years, they’ll be the ones producing and consuming.

RR: How, according to you, does eco-friendly lighting add to a luxury home's charm?

Jenny Pinto: The quality of light that comes through paper, the fact that someone spent five days making that object—that’s luxury. We need to redefine what luxury means.

RR: And what does luxury mean to you in general?

Jenny Pinto: Luxury is an experience. If something is not overly processed and keeps me close to the natural material, that’s luxury. Cotton without chemical dyes—that’s luxury. If it’s made by human hands, that’s a privilege. All our craftsmen come from rural India—the Northeast, Bengal, and rural Karnataka.

RR: If you had to predict one big shift in sustainable lighting design over the next five years, what would it be?

Jenny Pinto: Right now, homes are lit mindlessly. In lighting, less is more. The realisation that you can create a mood depending on the room and its use—that’s the future. You don’t have to floodlight a house. Becoming conscious of how you design lighting is the future.