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I have been learning about eco friendly products but I don’t understand what the term ‘fair trade’ means.

According to FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization, Network of European Worldshops and European Fair Trade Association):

“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.”

In more simple terms, fair trade just means that developing countries are officially supported to export their goods to developed countries. Key fair trade principles include market access for marginalized producers, sustainable and equitable trading relationships, capacity building and empowerment, and consumer awareness raising and advocacy.

What makes an item certified organic?

For producers of organic food and agricultural products, organic certification is a body of standards and process of certification for any entity directly involved with food production. But it can also be applied to agricultural products such as cotton. Certification standards vary by country, but in general, a product certified organic includes:

• using almost no synthetic chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge

• farming on land that has been free from chemical use for usually at least three years

• creating a transparent audit trail – detailed records of production and retail

• submitting to on-site inspections

• keeping non-certified products strictly separated from the organic ones

I read that bleach and other cleaners at the store are toxic and possibly harmful to my health and definitely harmful to the environment but I can’t afford the brand name eco friendly cleansers.

Annie B. Bond at 2Care has a wonderful article listing all the ways you can make your own effective, non-toxic cleansers. Whether you need furniture polish, soft scrub, deodorizers, or mold killers, there are online recipes using simple, everyday items such as vinegar, baking soda, sodium carbonate, liquid soap or detergent, and essential oils.

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I have been learning about eco friendly products but I don’t understand what the term ‘fair trade’ means.

According to FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization, Network of European Worldshops and European Fair Trade Association):

“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.”

In more simple terms, fair trade just means that developing countries are officially supported to export their goods to developed countries. Key fair trade principles include market access for marginalized producers, sustainable and equitable trading relationships, capacity building and empowerment, and consumer awareness raising and advocacy.

What makes an item certified organic?

For producers of organic food and agricultural products, organic certification is a body of standards and process of certification for any entity directly involved with food production. But it can also be applied to agricultural products such as cotton. Certification standards vary by country, but in general, a product certified organic includes:

• using almost no synthetic chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge

• farming on land that has been free from chemical use for usually at least three years

• creating a transparent audit trail – detailed records of production and retail

• submitting to on-site inspections

• keeping non-certified products strictly separated from the organic ones

I read that bleach and other cleaners at the store are toxic and possibly harmful to my health and definitely harmful to the environment but I can’t afford the brand name eco friendly cleansers.

Annie B. Bond at 2Care has a wonderful article listing all the ways you can make your own effective, non-toxic cleansers. Whether you need furniture polish, soft scrub, deodorizers, or mold killers, there are online recipes using simple, everyday items such as vinegar, baking soda, sodium carbonate, liquid soap or detergent, and essential oils.

Green Homes