I've been thinking over the last few weeks about shopping. Two of the reasons why this has been on my mind: I've been watching a series on ABC iview called 'Blood, sweat and t-shirts' - six young fashion addicts swap shopping on the high street with working in India‘s cotton fields and clothes factories (excerpt from BBC). This series is really interesting, I do have a few reservations (I'd like more focus on the locals), but, still two more episodes to go, so we shall see.The other reason being this post from Lauren and then following her over to this post from Isis.
When I think about organic/fairtrade/ethical/green, I feel a bit overwhelmed. Do you?
Until this point, I've always thought it's an all or nothing change (and have felt super guilty that as much as I do, there is always still more I could do), but I've come to the conclusion, for me, it will be a gradual change. As I become more aware, as companies become more transparent, as my sewing and gardening skills improve, as learn to shop differently, clean differently, eat differently, as all these things become part of my daily routine and culture, then I think I will be closer to becoming the person I'd like to be.
Note: This pledge is for me but with the aim to buy better for Blair and The Boy too.
THE ETHICAL CLOTHING PLEDGE
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I pledge (will do my utmost best) to only wear clothing that is one or more of the following:
1. Pre-loved
2. Handmade (preferably by me)
3. Reconstructed
4. Made with ethical / environmentally friendly materials
5. Made by a company with strong ethical policy & workers' rights
* Companies with environmentally friendly practices (such as cutting down on waste/energy/water) get brownie points
* If I get one little inkling of sweatshop labour, I'm outta there!
* Above all though, I think the most important thing is reducing the amount of things we use in the first place. Not purchasing ANOTHER piece of clothing just for the sake of it is the biggest statement we can make.
4 comments:
The blood sweat and tears doco is a real eye opener isn't it. Such awful conditions for the workers. Good on you for making your pledge.
Bec, if you discover a manufacturer of runners who doesn't use child labour/holds to ethical practices. Please let me know because that is dam hard to find. Sports clothes as well. Good on you.
Hey Bec - lovely to hear your commitment to what you believe in! Big stuff to tackle, but we have the power to choose and each choice can change the life for another :)
Have you got the Ethical Shopping Guide App for your phone -http://www.ethical.org.au/ if you want insider info about which are the best companies to support than this is awesome! We use it, and know the people who created it :)
And this is also very practical -http://chainstorereaction.com/
And this is just beautiful -http://www.thedharmadoor.com.au/
Love you!
It's all a bit much to take in isn't it? Since starting my handmade challenge last Christmas I've noticed my shopping habits shift. I think about purchases a lot more now and I op-shop a lot more. I can't actually remember the last time I bought a new piece of clothing and I haven't bought any new shoes.
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