Fair enough

What

Chocolate, coffee and a nice cup of tea are just some of the things we wouldn’t want to live without, so it’d be amazing if our essential items also helped make the world a better place.

Well the good news is, with a teeny bit of know how, they can! Keep reading to find out how to use your purchases to create a fairer world.

fair-enough

Benefits

For people

This one is all about the people. Making life better for some of the most underpaid workers in the world. Buying a product that has a recognised ethical production certification means you’re demanding support for the people who produced it. Support that includes decent living and working conditions, fair terms of trade and for producers and their communities to have more control over their futures.

As well as being sustainable, ethically certified items are often great quality because producers have access to the right training and equipment to enable them to, for example, grow a superior crop, or produce a high quality garment. Better education = better quality goods!!

For planet

It’s not just people who benefit from most of these certifications, the planet does too! Your purchases will encourage environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, such as the development of nutrient-rich soils which support healthy plants.

How

  1. Buy from independent makers who you know hold social and environmental responsibility as a priority! It’s not always feasible for small producers to become certified - it’s an expensive and difficult process! Don’t be afraid to ask - independent makers are usually very happy to tell you their ethical story.

    2. Look out for ethical certifications. There are many out there, so we’ve compiled a list below of some of the best ones. No matter what you’re purchasing, we hope this helps you to navigate your way to a fairer world:
  • Fairtrade: Fairtrade certified products are sold in over 80 countries, and include many of our favourite things, such as chocolate, tea, coffee, cotton, avocados, bananas, blueberries, ice cream and even gold!

  • B Corp: The B Corp certification is to businesses what Fairtrade is to products. It requires businesses to meet higher standards of social and environmental performance across the board, leading the way in making business a force for good. Some leading B Corps include The Body Shop, Pukka Herbs, Ben & Jerry’s, and Method. Browse the full B Corp directory.

  • Rainforest Alliance Certified: Products bearing the Rainforest Alliance’s frog certification have met their standards for social, environmental and economic sustainability. From tea to tissues, hotels to roses, find Rainforest Alliance Certified products.

  • Fair Wild: This standard ensures sustainability for wild plants, and protection for those who collect and trade in them. Check out what you can do for the wild plants that we use every day.

  • Fair for Life: Although less well known, Fair for Life is no less thorough. To certify, every organisation in a product's supply chain must meet their standards, from farm to sales team, no matter where in the world they are.

When looking at the wider environmental impact of the products you’re buying, here are some other good labels to look out for: