Ten Ways to Make Your Home Fair Trade Friendly

Sep 8, 2011 by Pam Harvey

By purchasing fair trade certified products you support companies that ensure ethical manufacturing practices and standards in their production process. Additionally, you support farmers and manufacturers in many developing countries who are striving to provide better lives for their families and build stronger communities. Fair trade certified shopping experience may require some re-evaluation and beforehand research, but it is rewarding and empowering. There are many vendors and stores that offer a wide variety of fair trade certified products, and their numbers are growing. Additionally, you can contact the manufacturers directly and inquire about their practices in production and supply chain.

Below is a guide of some simple ways to make your home fair trade friendly.

1. Food – while not all foods are fair trade certified, there are few products that offer fair trade certified alternative. They include coffee, tea, sugar, olive oil, and several others, and have an easily recognizable fair trade label. Also, support your local farmers markets, as the majority of fruits and vegetables are sold by the farmers themselves in your local area.
2. Clothing – choose brand names that use fair trade certified cotton in their garments and fair labor practice in the manufacturing process. Some of these include Patagonia, Liz Claiborne, Gap, and many others.
3. Shoes – most shoes in our stores are made in developing countries. Choose brands like UGG, Teva, Birkenstock, and others that ensure the workers in the manufacturing process are treated fairly.
4. Accessories – there are many Internet and traditional stores that offer jewelry, scarves, and bags made by survivors of human trafficking. These products are very unique and truly special, and you will be supporting and providing income for those who are rebuilding their lives. Also, look for precious stones and metals jewelry that is fair trade certified.
5. Skincare products – choose brands like Aveda, Kiss My Face, Tom’s of Maine, and others, as they use organic ingredients in their products.
6. Baby products – companies like Seventh Generation, Earth’s Best, Weleda, Jason, and several others offer a wide assortment of baby care products that are made with natural ingredients and are free of slave labor.
7. Toys and games – choose toys and games by Wild Planet Toys, Mattel, and others like them, as they are guaranteed to be made using fair labor practices.
8. Household items – choose products for your home that are fair trade certified and are free of child labor. Rugs, linens, electronics, and other products most of the time bear a distinctive label. Also, inquiries can be made to the manufacturers about their fair labor practices.
9. Gift giving – consider buying fair trade products to give as gifts. It is easy to find fair trade certified chocolates and wines – perfect gifts for any occasion. Also, with a little bit of research, you can find one-of-a-kind gifts on many Internet fair trade markets. Additionally, support your local artisans at art festivals and shows where truly unique gifts can be purchased as well.
10. Charitable giving – consider supporting organizations and individuals that are working to end modern-day slavery in the world. The majority of people, including children, who are trafficked and enslaved today are for bonded and forced labor. Some of these organizations try to provide the rescued victims with opportunities to rebuild their lives by manufacturing products and organizing a market, but they still will appreciate financial support.

The fair trade certified market is growing, offering more and more products that are produced using fair labor practices. By purchasing fair trade certified products for your family and home, you are supporting developing communities in your local area and other countries. It is a fulfilling experience, as you provide opportunities for others and enjoy quality and beauty of fair trade certified products.

For more information, please visit:

www.fairtradefederation.org
www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/apparel_program
www.globalexchangestore.org
www.tenthousandvillages.com
www.betterworldshopper.org

Pam Harvey is a prominent speaker on modern-day slavery and founder of the socially conscious shopping website www.FreeToShop.org. She is also the National Director of Education and Advocacy for Transitions Global which is the leader in the rehabilitation of sex trafficking survivors.