CHRISTMAS is a time for GIVING, time for family and friends, but the led up to Christmas can be stressful and tiring.
The last thing most people focus on when purchasing their gifts is ‘where has it come from, is it environmentally preferable, WHO has manufactured it, was there any child or forced labour involved in the manufacturing of this product’.
No one wants to purchase gifts that exploit factory workers or damages the environment.
So I’ve written this blog to try and help you support organisations that make products that tackle poverty in developing nations by selling products that empower the people and communities who make them, e.g. OXFAM & The Trading Circle.
I can also appreciate that you won’t find all your items on your Christmas list with these two organisations, so I’ve listed a number of NGO’s and Not-for-Profits that give you the tools and the knowledge to make informed ethical purchasing decisions. Organisations like Baptist World Aid whose mission is to end the exploitation of factory workers.
OXFAM -
According to Oxfam, if just one in four Australians made one ethical Christmas purchase, we’d raise more than $2.2 billion for people living in poverty. That’s enough to provide clean water for every family in Zambia.
Here’s a couple of Oxfam suggestions:
· Buy a beautiful gift from Oxfam Shop.
· Send a life-changing card from Oxfam Unwrapped.
· Buy a Christmas tree that saves lives.
· Or discover which of your favourite brands are naughty … or nice.
The Oxfam website lists major retailers and gives them a PASS or FAIL, according to whether they are transparent with regards to their manufacturers and supply chain. One quick snap shot of all the well-known retailers will give you an idea. You can even sign a petition to let retailers who are NOT transparent, know you care.
https://www.oxfam.org.au/ethical-christmas/
THE TRADING CIRCLE – EMPOWING WOMEN TO TRADE OUT OF POVERTY
Founded in 1995, The Trading Circle is a not-for-profit organisation that creates economic and educational opportunities for women and girls to reach their full potential by selling products that are made by them.
Lucky for me, The Trading Circle is a 15 minute walk from my place, but they have a great shop online to help you with your gift selection, they even have a Christmas section with cards, decorations, jewellery, homewares and even chocolate! The children’s toys and educational materials are exceptional and are always a HUGE hit when received by both children and parents.
http://www.thetradingcircle.com.au/christmas.html
HOW DO OUR RETAILERS fair ………….OR WHICH RETAILERS FAIR BETTER
There are Not-for Profits and NGO’s that are dedicated to helping shoppers buy with greater awareness of the how the retailer are managing their suppliers , to try and eliminate poor working conditions and the exploitation of factory workers.
There are a couple of really good websites and guides that can help you make more ethical thoughtful decisions. Check them out!
BAPTIST WORLD AID -End worker exploitation!
Each year, Baptist World Aid publishes a series of industry reports through its Behind the Barcode project. The Ethical Fashion Report and the Electronics Industry Trends Report seek to help Australians shop ethically, and, by doing so, advocate with their wallets.
Between them, the two reports assess more than 400 brands operating in Australia and around the world. The reports grade those brands on the strength of the systems they have in place to protect workers in their supply chain from exploitation, forced labour and child labour.
Workers should be protected and not harmed. Workers deserve to work in dignified jobs, without being exploited. Workers deserve to work free from the tyranny of modern slavery. But in order for this to happen, we need to be consumers that care.
Your support means more companies will be held accountable for their actions to protect their workers. https://baptistworldaid.org.au/faith-in-action/behind-the-barcode/
SHOP ETHICAL – your consumer guide
The Shop Ethical! Guide draws into one place information on the environmental and social track record of the companies behind common brands. They rate the companies from A-F and assess them on areas of environmental and social impact, treatment of animals and accountable business practices.
You can download the app or you can buy the guide. They have a search function and have a whole heap of listings for appliances, clothing, electronics, food, drink, household, personal care, pet, retail, toys, and even office supplies.
https://www.ethical.org.au/theguide/
GOOD ON YOU Fashion Without Harm- Trusted ethical ratings in the palm of your hand
Good On You ethical brand ratings give consumers the power to make choices that match their values – choices that reflects the consumers commitment bu doing better by people, the planet and animals. They believe brands should be transparent. As a consumer, you have a right to know!
https://goodonyou.eco/how-we-rate/
Other sustainable, ethical ideas and or considerations for Christmas
· Collectively give to a charity – it really makes the whole family feel good
· Buy second hand – check out your local OP Shop and markets for second hand goods
· Give an experience – a dinner out, plays, musicals, sporting events of museums or zoos for the kids
· Make your own gift – try pickling veges, making relishes or how about spicing up some mixed nuts and popping them in a nice second hand jar you got from your local op shop
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018 -