Good Vibes-Fair Trade
Hi there mermaids 🐚 today I want to chat about Fair Trade and what exactly that means for you, the consumer AND the artisans involved.....not to mention the environment 🌿
Let’s start with the ugly side of “Fast Fashion”..... what do I mean when I say “Fast Fashion”? Let me explain...
“Fast fashion is the mass production of cheap, poor quality, disposable clothing. To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, the fashion industry churns out 80 billion garments a year - that's over 10 for every person on earth.”
We are currently in a disposable clothing cycle crisis....clothing is now cheaper but also lower quality, items are typically worn less than 10 times before they are out the door....not even to be donated or recycled, but to end up in a landfill.
Fast fashion is causing devastating damage to the planet in a number of ways:
I’ll be talking a lot more in depth about the harmful effects from fast fashion on the environment but I also want to educate the effects it has on humans as well.
The World Fair Trade Organization or WFTO has compiled a list of principles
10 Principles of Fair Trade
1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
Organizations should strive to help impoverished producers to move out of income insecurity and encourage self-sufficiency.
2. Transparency and accountability
Every organization should have total transparency with trading partners and ensure communication is open and honest.
3. Fair trading practices
This covers a wide area including social, environmental and economic factors. The whole supply chain should be respected, and no organization should profit at another's expense. Payment should be made promptly, and contracts should be upheld whether you are a smaller company or larger producer.
4. Fair payment
This principle looks at several aspects of fair payment including:
- Fair prices: Prices should be negotiated to find a good deal for everyone and incorporate a fair profit.
- Fair wages: Payment of fair wages in relation to the local living wage should be paid to workers.
- Local living wage: Wages should equate to a fair amount for the region for no more than a 48-hour working week. This wage should also provide a decent standard of living including food, water, accommodations, and other living expenses.
5. Ensuring no child labor or forced labor
Every organization will adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Plus, follow local laws on child and forced labor.
6. Commitment to non-discrimination, gender equity, and women’s economic empowerment and freedom of association
Policies should be in place to ensure no discrimination takes place within an organization on any grounds.
7. Ensuring good working conditions
Every work environment should provide a safe and healthy workspace for individuals. Adequate health and safety procedures should be in place to protect workers.
8. Providing capacity building
This principle supports marginalized workers in improving management and production capabilities for a better and fairer future.
9. Promoting ethical trade
All organizations under the WFTO agree to support, promote and share the message of the ethical trade community to help improve manufacturing conditions and practices around the world.
10. Respect for the environment
Alongside the improvements for communities under this movement.
