Welcome to the world of Ethics Girls

You have made the decision to be a new 'cleaner' and 'greener' you. You want your shopping and your household to do your bit for people's lives and the future of the planet. Your new journey begins.

Whether you are new to the life of an ethical shopper or not, things can often seem very confusing. One week the newspapers will suggest one thing, only to tell you next week that this isnt the answer. It is enough to put you off.

Well Ethics Girls is here to say - dont give up - and remember it isn't just you who finds things confusing. Solving the problems of the world isnt going to happen overnight! So in the meantime, we can all do what we can - after all 'ought is better than nought' (as they say in Yorkshire!)

This section can be used as a guide to help you look at the ethics and issues available to you. We give you a broad summary of a group of ethical options along with their aims and values. The issues can be complex when you get into the nitty gritty but the original reasons behind each issue generally hold true.

Fair trade

The basic idea behind fair trade is to bring some justice to the international trading system for small producer groups in developing countries. The conventional trading market works on a supply and demand system and the pricing system bares no relation with the costs of production. Small producer groups can often find that the price they receive does not even cover their costs of living, let alone give them a profit. Fair trade seeks to re balance the system and acknowledge the basic human right to a descent standard of living.

There are several systems and organisations that you will come across:

Fairtrade Products using The Fairtrade Mark

A product with the Fairtrade Mark on the label means it has been audited against the agreed international Fairtrade standards and criteria set out by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO). Key criteria includes paying an agreed fair price for the goods with additional premiums for social or economic development projects. There are environmental criteria to follow, as well as providing the option of providing pre finance for an order and the criteria ensure a long term commitment to individual trading relationships. The UK is the world's largest market for Fairtrade Marked products. In the UK, it is the Fairtrade Foundation that ensures that the products are eligible for use of the Fairtrade Mark.

Fair Trade Companies

These are companies that take an holistic approach to fair trade. They only trade fairly, using the fair trade principles. Fair trade companies are eligible for join IFAT (the International Fair trade Association). IFAT is a membership organisation that includes members from both fair trade producer groups and mission based fair trade organsations here in the West. All members must have fair trade at the heart of their business. IFAT uses self assessment, mutual reviews and external verification within its membership to ensure that all members are upholding their fair trade commitments. IFAT also has its own mark – the mark is used by Fair Trade registered organisations.

Fairly Traded

Some products and companies promote the concept of fair trade under their own terms and definitions. They can often use the term 'fairly traded' in their labelling. This is a loose term, indicating a use of the principles of fair trade, but without necessarily adhering to agreed external standards or audits. There are several reasons for this – sometimes there is no agreed Fairtrade Mark criteria set for a particular product - craft products often fall under this label. Some organisations feel that they do not want to invest time and costs in getting themselves certified under an audited system.

In mainland Europe the Fairtrade Mark is not as widely used as it is here in the UK. Companies will often buy from Fairtrade registered producers and work in accordance with the criteria. But they then choose to promote their fair trade ideals through their brand and do not use the Fairtrade Mark on their products.

We suggest that you look out for the following:

Look for Fairtrade Mark products and / or choose companies that are Fair trade companies - all their business and investment is centered around securing a better life for small scale farmers and producers.

Organics

The basic philosophy behind organics is that Organic produce is grown using a well balanced soil to grow the crops rather than relying on man made chemicals. In Europe the term Organic is defined by law, therefore all products that are labeled Organic on the packet must comply with the organic standards that are set using the European Parliament.

Organic farming means that there is a severe restriction on the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Instead farmers must use a healthy soil that is supported by growing a mixture of crops and animals are reared without the use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers, common in intensive livestock farming. If a product has Organic on the packet, then that product has been audited all the way through the supply chain, from the field to the packet. You can be assured that the whole process complies with the standards and that there is no contamination with non organic products.

There are now organic standards set down for the production of cotton, as well as livestock and food produce.

Like fair trade, look out for companies that take an holistic approach to Organic, where their company's mission and philosophy are entwined with the organic philosophy.

Recycling

Recycling has an essential role in trying to reduce the amount of the earth's resources that we use in our daily lives. Recycling means we are reusing our waste and in doing so we are saving energy and resources. Thanks to our local council services, we are all aware of what we can recycle from our homes – regular services include picking up paper, cardboard, garden waste, glass and tins. Currently we don't all have the same level of service but I am sure that this will improve over the next few years.

Recycling waste saves energy but equally importantly it reduces the amount of waste that is put in our landfills. As our landfill in the UK is under pressure from European law, this should be one of our priorities.

One of our pet bugs at the moment is plastics – try to recycle your plastic waste as it doesn't degrade. The Natural World on BBC 2 (May 07) showed the content of baby albatross stomachs in Haiwaii. Up to half of their stomachs where full of plastic items that their parents had feed to them thinking they were food :(

UK made

We have included the UK made category as we think as well as supporting small farmers and producers in developing countries, we think UK producers and farmers are a crucial element in our ethical living. UK made products will have lower transport miles in comparison to products made abroad in terms of transport. These products also enable us to support our own local economy and communities. Companies here may have to compete with products manufactured in countries like China, where production and labour costs are much lower than here in the UK.

In the shop the UK made category will seek to support small crafts people and artisans. This is an important factor in ensuring that we are nurturing and encouraging skills and traditional methods of production.

Don't forget to buy locally. Use your local farmers markets and support your local shops. This strengthens your local communities and is an enjoyable way of shopping. Get to know your shop keepers and local producers – they have a wealth of knowledge in their heads and will be only too happy to give you some advice.

No Nasties

This is an issue that incorporates a whole range of different products, from household cleaners to cosmetics. There are companies that have drawn up a set of chemicals that they will not use in their products.

This has two benefits. Firstly that you as the consumer are not coming into direct contact with chemicals through your skin and secondly these products are not using chemicals that can damage the environment.

Things to look out for when checking the product ingredients

No synthetic detergents, no artificial colours, no artificial fragrances, no petroleum by products, tart derivatives or genetically modied ingredients.

Also its important to avoid Parabens – they are synthetic preservatives and they are usually derived from petrochemical sources – they are commonly found in skin & hair products – they come in the form of methyl, ethyl, butyl and propylparabens.