Ethical and Fair Trade

Everything we sell is sourced from developing countries such as India and Indonesia from ethical and fair trade suppliers. All of our suppliers operate using ethical standards concerning working conditions, pay and child labour, and some operate according to the criteria set by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops. Generally, this gives emphasis to the empowerment of producer partners. More specifically their criteria is concerned with fair pay, the provision of training, involvement in decision making, the improvement of the situation of women; ensuring they receive equal pay to men for equivalent work and also that children do not work in factory conditions and that any home working does not interfere with their education.

Some Fair Trade companies go even further, for example, 'Get' which supplies our gift wrap is a cooperative in Nepal which donates 40% of it's profits to supporting schools and to AIDS and environmental awareness.

By purchasing from ethical and fair trade suppliers we can help the situation of some of the poorest people within the developing world. In providing a secure and long-term outlet for their goods and ensuring they receive fair pay and their working conditions are good, it helps individuals and their families to not only be able to support themselves economically but also gain confidence and self-respect. In addition it can help to give their children a better future with more education opportunities.

If you are interested in fair trade generally the Fairtrade Foundation is worth visiting and for information on businesses that trade ethically within the UK the Ethical Directory provide useful details.