RETURN TO LOCAL SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
The true cost of what we buy is rarely reflected in the price we pay for things at the checkout. There are many hidden costs which are externalised during manufacture, such as the effects on the environment, human relations and the health and well-being of our local communities. Whilst we may pay only a little in the store, we pay for the rest later. In the real world of sustainable economics cheap can be costly in the long run.
More and more people are realising that, as critical shoppers, they have more power and influence than voting ever gave them. Increasingly we want to know about the back-story of the products we buy. How were they produced, how durable are they, did anyone suffer in the making of this item?
Below is a list of goods, services and suppliers that we can recommend. In their own way each of these businesses is trying to make a difference to more than their own bottom line. There are also links to ethical standards and monitoring organisations, for more information.
When it comes to making the world a better place make your money count for more!
http://www.warmcel.com/excel/warmhome.html
http://www.britishcouncil.org/science/science/personalities/text/ukperson/baylis.htm
http://www.anth.org.uk/biodynamic/Biodynamic%20Supplies.htm
http://www.schleich-s.de/englisch/index1.php?lang=&SID
http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/
http://www.ethicalproperty.co.uk/
http://www.aireau.co.uk/About_Aireau/Water_Division/water_division.html
http://www.naturesave.co.uk/home.html
http://www.ptree.co.uk/ people tree clothes and fabrics in fair and direct trade with the producers
"Our products are made with mainly natural materials. We use
organically
grown cotton wherever it is feasibly possible (all our t-shirts and cotton
jersey clothes are organic cotton) and natural dyes or Azo-free dyes (which
are not natural but not carcinogenic like many commonly used dyes).
We also use natural fibres like Jute and alpaca/organic cotton mixes."
www.ootw.co.uk the UK ethical supermarket, owned by its members
http://www.peacefunerals.co.uk/