Each of us has an opportunity to bring about positive change in the choices we make when we shop! There is something practical that all of us can do to promote ethical trade in our daily lives by looking for and choosing to consume the alternatives that are available.
Think before you buy
It’s really important to stay informed and think about what we buy if we want to become more ethical shoppers. You can do that by looking at:
Company websites:
Most companies have a website and if they have their own code of conduct they will usually have it on their website. Look out for company websites that do not have a code of conduct. Many websites ask people to fill in feedback and comment boxes – make use of these to ask the company questions about how their clothes are made and how their workers are treated. Some companies, which have been the target of previous campaigns, may have lots of information on their site about ethical trade.
Other websites:
There are lots of websites belonging to agencies, retailers, companies and networks of garment industry workers –where you can find out information for yourself.
Newspapers:
The press covers stories of unfair trading practices and sometimes carries out consumer research polls on big businesses.
Magazines such as New Internationalist and Ethical Consumer.
TV news and documentaries.
Newsletters and mailing lists of ethical organisations such as the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Support fair trade and ethical shops
As well as putting pressure on mainstream high street clothes shops we can also make a conscious choice to support ethical and fair trade companies. Being an ethical consumer has two main effects:
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It benefits companies that are truly ethical
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It allows our money to become real currency – we can use it to support companies which ensure that their workers are paid a fair wage and work in safe and healthy conditions
A recent survey revealed that two in every five Britons would prefer to buy products that were ethical – if only they knew where! Maybe you feel the same way.