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Sustainability July 23, 2019
Ethical shopping made easy.
Fair trade has become a buzzword that many of us use without really understanding. It is a relatively new trend, and our lack of understanding puts us at risk of companies using the label to exploit us as well as the workers creating their products. Coffee companies, grocery brands, and fast fashion industries are often the most complicit in false fair trade advertising. Without a clear fair trade definition, it can be hard to know who to trust.
So, how do you know your money will actually reach artisan hands? Here’s a fair trade definition that will help you avoid getting scammed.
Most American products are sourced from overseas industries and farms, many of whom pay their workers very little to work in unsafe conditions.
According to Fairtrade America, a company or farm may only become fair trade certified if they’ve met “the economic, social and environmental needs of producers.”
So, how do you know you’re buying a product that’s been fair trade certified?
When buying a product, check the seals on their packages. Major certification companies include Fair Trade Certified, Fair for Life, The Fairtrade Foundation and Fair Trade Federation. The labels might be small, but they’re there.
Possibly the biggest factor preventing shoppers from choosing responsibly is the overwhelming feeling that they won’t get it right. We can get caught in an information overload, feeling guilty without a means of solving the problem.
With that in mind, we’ve listed three companies that not only sell beautiful and high-quality products, but are using their companies to directly and positively impact individuals and communities around the world.
Here are the three companies that make fair trade easy and accessible.
While looking for the right seal can make all the difference in your shopping, most people don’t have enough time to leisurely browse the aisles of their supermarket. When it comes to convenience,Fair Trade Certified has you covered.
On their website, they offer a Pinterest-like roundup of all the brands that ethically source their products. From produce, to home goods, to clothing, to chocolate, Fair Trade Certified will make sure you don’t get duped.
Plus, by browsing their store, you can learn which household brands are already doing the right thing for workers and communities around the world. Your next grocery run will be as quick and chaotic as ever with Fair Trade Certified in your back pocket.
If you’ve ever explored Etsy in search of unique, handmade items, Novica is the overseas alternative for you. Here’s how it works.
Novica operates as a free platform for artisans around the world to sell their products. They employ local art experts in every region of the world to assist these artists in their production and connect them to a global market.
As part of their online store, each product comes with the personal story of the producer. In other words, when you buy a mosaic serving tray, you can learn all about the indigenous woman creating them from her remote home in Peru.
This company aims to impact the lives of women living in Afghanistan. With a name derived from the Persian word for “strong” and “brave,” they mean business. The saffron business, in fact.
Attempting to replace the illicit drug economy, Tahmina trains women to pick poppy flowers and convert them into saffron. From their website, you can purchase pure saffron for your next fancy food venture, or you can simply buy their Saffron Chai Tea.
Making women independent and self-sufficient is Tahmina’s primary goal, and it’s one we can get behind.
So, next time you crave a tea, a coffee or even a new designer pair of jeans, you know what to do. Check the seals, check the company and make sure you’re putting your money where it counts.
