FAIR TRADE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES

 
We’re proud that many of our retail partners are committed to making a positive difference to both people and the planet. Fair trade and ethical sourcing is now a primary business focus for many retailers who are on a journey of continuous analysis, action and improvement.

Here are a few examples of our retailers who have made a commitment to fair trade and ethical practices:

 

LUSH

The beautiful products and gorgeous scents emanating from every Lush store are backed by a very serious commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Lush collaborate with farmers around the world to start sustainable projects from scratch, by offering financial support via the Sustainable Lush Fund (SLush). The SLush fund enables farmers to trade independently and better support their communities using the principles of permaculture: care of the earth, care of people and fair share.

One of the important projects funded by the SLush fund helped purchase the rights to six thousand hectares of rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon to prevent the felling of endangered rosewood and other native trees. Naturally fallen trees and small branches could be used to create a sustainable source of rosewood oil, extracted on site by an eco-friendly distillation unit.

As well as assisting with farm start-ups and permaculture education, SLush funding also provides communities with the tools to generate their own independent income. One example of this is the Colombian San Jose de Apartado Peace Community, who grow Fair Trade organic cacao beans. The Fund pays for medical bills, equipment to improve the quality of the cacao, and works hand in hand with the members to strengthen their positive presence.

Find out more about Lush’s ethical trading practices on their website and pop in to Lush when you are next here in-centre!

 

THE COTTON ON GROUP (Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Cotton On Body, Rubi, Typo, Factorie and Supre)

A business that has ethical practices at its very heart is The Cotton On Group, which is focussed on ensuring it has a positive impact on its people, the community and the planet.

It is committed to making a positive impact to both communities and the planet, and continuously looks for ways to make improvements on its ethical and sustainable practices.

The Cotton On Group’s Ethical Framework states that its purpose is ‘To make a positive difference in people’s lives’, and this is reflected through all areas of its business and all its brands, including Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Cotton On Body, Rubi, Typo, Factorie and Supre.

This Ethical Framework includes protecting human rights across their supply chain, improving sustainability and minimising ecological harm, promoting fairness and equality for all its people and communities, and protecting women and girls from exploitation, sexualisation and objectification across all aspects of its business.

Pop by the Cotton On store or visit their website to check out more about The Cotton On Group’s Ethical Framework.
 
 

THE BODY SHOP

As a company founded on ethical and sustainable practices, The Body Shop is committed to enriching people’s lives, by working fairly with its farmers and suppliers, and helping communities thrive.

Its ‘Enrich, no Exploit’ campaign stands for enriching people’s lives as well as the planet, rather than exploiting them.

The Body Shop ensures that it pays fair prices to its community trade partners and contributes to the local communities. It is aiming to increase the Community Trade program from 19 to 40 ingredients by the year 2020, which will grow this program significantly.

Read more about The Body Shop’s ethical practices here and don’t forget to stop in to The Body Shop next time you’re here!

 

COUNTRY ROAD

Aussie fashion retailer Country Road is on a journey to be a leader in ethical and sustainable practices.

The Country Road Code of Labour Practices focusses on a number of key areas, including ethical trade, a commitment to fair, safe and hygienic work conditions for its workers, and ensuring suppliers are regularly checked by independent auditors.

It adheres to a framework that includes a commitment to animal welfare principles, refraining from using angora, taking a proactive approach to sourcing a sustainable supply of non-mulesed wool and only using leather that is a by-product of other industries.

Find out more about Country Road’s ethical trade practices here and don’t forget to visit our Country Road store.
 
 

CUE

Australian fashion label Cue is still proudly owned by the family who originally started this iconic Aussie brand.

Cue is passionate about keeping jobs in Australia, and so it keeps all design and production local, making it the largest local manufacturer of women’s fashion in Australia.

Cue is accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia, and has taken practical steps to ensure that the Aussie workers involved in making its designs receive fair wages and work in good conditions.

For an original garment that’s Australian designed and made, visit our Cue Store or visit the Cue website.

 

SPORTSGIRL

Iconic Aussie brand Sportsgirl backs its fun-loving image with a very serious ethical sourcing policy. On a journey of continuous improvement, Sportsgirl are passionate that all members of its supply chain are treated respectfully, and its buying and executive teams visit factory locations regularly to review them. Sportsgirl works to ensure its workers are in safe and hygienic workplaces, are paid living wages and are not working excessive hours.

Sportsgirl also adheres to a social responsibility policy that includes items like no Azo Dyes used in any denim production (due to potentially dangerous chemicals), no use of Angora fur (due to the concern raised for the humane treatment of Angora rabbits) and no animal testing.

Want to know more? Drop in to Sportgirl or check out the Sportsgirl website.
 
 

THE BODY SHOP

The Body’s Shop’s Ethical Trade program recognises that brands, retailers and suppliers must take responsibility for the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell. At its foundation, it’s about ensuring workers are treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

In 1998, The Body Shop became a founding member of the Ethical Trading initiative, to improve the working lives of people around the world. All of the 120 suppliers to The Body Shop are visited by 3rd party organisations regularly to check on the conditions of the workers, which amount to over 30,000 people.

The commitment to continuous improvement means working together with suppliers to make lasting changes to the working lives of people.

Read more about this program on The Body Shop’s website, and pop in to The Body Shop today.

 

COLES

Coles is committed to the ethical sourcing of its products, and values treating everyone with care, respect and fairness.

It also requires its suppliers and business partners to share its way of working and seeks their commitment to the Coles Ethical Sourcing Policy. Ethical sourcing is a commitment to the purchase of goods and services that are manufactured and provided in a way that does not involve exploitation, or represent a danger to health, safety or the environment.

Coles regularly audits suppliers operating outside Australia to ensure compliance with its policy, which includes commitments to safe and hygienic work conditions, appropriate wages being paid, no discrimination and no illegal or child labour.

To find out more about Coles ethics in practice, check out the Coles website or drop in to the Coles store.

 

WOOLWORTHS

Aussie supermarket Woolworths is committed to upholding human rights, not only with respect to its own employees but also in its supply chain. As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the Woolworths Ethical Sourcing Policy supports and enacts a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

All new suppliers must complete a rigorous assessment including site inspections and ethical audits to ensure they meet the standards set in the Woolworths Ethical Sourcing Policy.

To find out more about ethical sourcing at Woolworths, visit the Woolworths website or pop in to the Woolworths store.
 

GRILLD

Grill’d is proud to support Aussie farmers who care about what goes into your burger. Grill’d sources free range beef, lamb and eggs, and RSPCA Approved chicken and pork, from Aussie farms with exceptional product quality and animal welfare standards.
 
Grill’d’s new Pork Belly burgers, Underbelly and Pork & Pine, have some great claims.  Grill’d are using free range, premium Australian pork from RSPCA Approved farms.  It’s free from preservatives, antibiotics and all added hormones.  Pigs are able to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors and can express natural foraging, socialising and wallowing behaviours.  Real taste, real ingredients, from real farms, made with love. Check out the Grill'd website for more information.

 

Find out more about conscious consumption here.