Ethical Consumerism

As you sit and drink your cup of coffee today, have a think about where it comes from.  Who makes your clothes? Who picked the Cacao beans that made that nice chocolate you got free with your coffee.

The products we buy and use here in South Africa can also have a huge impact on people in other countries. We all Love a bargain, but what’s the real cost of your purchase? Use this Coffee calculator to find out. 

Lets take a R50 t-shirt for example. Have a think about how a retailer can sell you a t-shirt for R50, and make a profit. How can they stay in business?  You pay R50, the retailer pays R25 and the importer pay R12.50, and by the time transport, manufacturing cost and materials are taken out, that doesn’t leave much to pay the worker who actually made the shirt, about R1.

Who do you think can make you a t-shirt for R1? Chilren. 
 

It’s easy for us – when we need something we just go out about buy a new t-shirt, or 2, or maybe even 3 – but how many t-shirts do we really need? How many pairs of shoes do we really need?

Every time we buy one of these products another child, somewhere else in the world has to make it.  – This is the way we contribute to child labour. Ethical consumerism is about understanding what is behind the label you are buying. It is about buying and using products that don’t harm or exploit people. It is about using products that don’t harm or exploit animals, or the environment.

So how do you know what is behind the label? How do you know who is making your clothes, coffee or chocolate?  How can you help rescue these children from exploitation and abuse? 

Buy Fairtrade certified products.

This week is Fairtrade coffee week around the world.  Fairtrade products ensure farmers and workers in developing countries a better deal– the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade products offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty and instigate change through their everyday shopping. This stop Motion video explains how 

It's Fair | Chris Kieling & Pietro Garrone from Pietro Garrone on Vimeo.

This video, out of Australia, shows an interesting perspective on Fairtrade chocolate and was integral in the recent move of Cadbury in becoming Fairtrade certified

Fairtrade products now include everything from foods (Bananas, pineapples, apples, vegetables coffee, chocolate tea, olive oil, soap, flour, wine, cheese, spices) to clothing (cotton, hemp) to jelrewy, gold, candles, Fairtrade hotels and backpackers.

Want to make a big difference to a lot of people? Support Fairtrade by getting the Twitter App– ask where your coffee comes from, and who had to sacrifice to enable you to enjoy a cheaper mug full. Stay at Fairtrade hotels ) but most importantly – be aware.

Be aware that YOU make a different in every consumer choice you make – think before you act.