What exactly is “ethical consumerism”?
At it’s simplest, it’s shopping with a conscience. In reality it’s making purchases (or abstaining from making purchases) in accordance with your personal values – in other words, putting your money wear your mouth is.
Think “F.L.O.W.E.R.Y”
Fairtrade
Since 2011, East Lothian has been a Fairtrade County. Fairtrade products are available in all supermarkets nowadays – look for the Fairtrade label. For a wider choice of gifts and homewares, look in speciality shops such as Earth Matters in North Berwick or The Small World in Prestonpans.
Local
The Internet “bargain” won’t seem such a great deal when your local shop has closed down – and do you really want to support huge organisations that don’t pay their taxes and treat their workers dreadfully. Support your local community by shopping locally and if they don’t have what you are looking for, tell them!
East Lothian Council are running a Christmas Shop Local campaign in conjunction with over 100 local retailers. Shoppers have a chance to win a share of a £1500 prize fund.
Enterprising independent retailers in North Berwick launched a High Street Gift Voucher scheme (available to buy year-round from etc.. 62 High Street, and are redeemable in the majority of shops along the North Berwick High Street)
No local bookshop? No problem! Hive is a network of independent bookshops. Delivery is free (either to your home or collect from a bookstore of your choice).
Organic
Organic food is defined as food which is produced using environmentally and animal friendly farming methods on organic farms (i.e. where no pesticides are ever used).
East Lothian is a farming county as we are blessed with several outlets selling organic products. Take a look at the East Lothian Food & Drink Directory for your nearest retailer and look out for the Soil Association logo which guarantees a product is organic.
Organic farms are wonderful for wildlife as the pesticide-free environment provides homes for bees, birds and butterflies. If you love all creatures, great and small, you will want to ensure that your toiletries and cosmetics have not been tested on animals so look out for the Leaping Bunny logo – it is the only way to be certain that a product is cruelty-free.
Where…
…did it come from?
The more steps there are between a producer (whether that’s a farmer or a jewellery maker) and the consumer (that’s you!) the more likelihood there is that someone (possibly even a child) has been exploited.
Handcrafted items have no place in a pound shop!
And remember…the longer the supply chain, the larger the carbon footprint so the planet suffers too.
If in doubt, give it a wide berth.
Environmentally-Friendly
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a plastic toy made in China isn’t good for the environment but what about wooden gifts? When buying wooden toys, look for the FSC mark which shows that it meets Forest Stewardship Council standards governing responsible stewardship of the worlds forests.
Do you really need to buy gift wrap? Use what you already have: newspapers, maps, posters or even a scarf or piece of fabric and tie with a ribbon!
Recycled, Regifted, Reused
Have a trawl around charity shops (Changeworks have produced this excellent charity shop map) for some new or nearly new bargains.
For that special vintage item, Sam Burns Yard, Prestonpans, takes some beating.
Or why not re-gift something you already have but don’t need or use?
YOU!
You have opinions, you have values, you have favourite causes. This is a chance to support all the organisations that you love, have an affiliation to, admire and would be sad if they weren’t there.
Many charities have online shops selling everything from wristbands to gift memberships.
Local enterprises often have gift vouchers (or even shares).
Increasingly, charities are turning to “virtual gifts” as a way of fundraising. In Oxfam you can “purchase” a goat, chickens or even a toilet!
Of course you can always make your own gifts, there are, handmade, make your own book of vouchers for babysitting, gardening or dishwashing – let your imagination run wild.
Follow @lothianloop and share your ethical shopping tips.
