Be Guilt-Free, Buy Fairtrade

This is a guest post by Frugal RJ

As environmentally conscious parents, we try to be knowledgeable about the contents and history of the products we use, but it can be awfully time consuming to find out where every product comes from and how it was made. We might purchase clothes and supplies labeled “organic,” but how true is that label? And does being marketed as “organic” automatically mean that the product was made through ethical means?

Thankfully, as the “green movement” becomes a regular way of life, many organizations and agencies have emerged to help make living eco-friendly lifestyles more manageable. One such group is Fairtrade International, an organization that has fought to secure international standards for the ethical production of goods. Recognizing that every product results from a partnership between producers, businesses and consumers, Fairtrade International has created a set of standards that allow a product to carry Fairtrade certification. That means the product was created with sustainable materials, is priced fairly and that all employees who helped create the product were justifiably compensated.

What makes such certification ideal for us is its visibility. The easily recognizable FAIRTRADE mark, found on food, drinks, clothing and jewelry, allows parents to shop sustainably with little to no effort on their part.

And while fairtrade products may be priced higher than others, it’s because these prices follow an international standard that ensures farm and factory workers get a life-improving wage and that production remains sustainable.

Since the launch of the first fairtrade label in 1988, 19 countries across the world have established their own national Fairtrade organizations, promoting the standards and ensuring that ethical, sustainable products are available within their own countries. With Fairtrade certification gaining decent ground, it’s become much easier to make sure our parenting styles are ethical, sustainable and guilt-free.

Many other organizations and certification processes have emerged over the years to create sustainable standards that allow parents to make easy and ethical purchasing choices. View this list of ten common eco-friendly labels to look for while shopping.

Besides cost, what factors are important in your buying decisions?

About the Author: Frugal RJ has always been interested in how technology changes our lives, but after getting married and starting a family, she’s starting to see that there’s more to life than her tech babies! Follow Reese on Twitter and join her journey to rediscover ethical living and how she can use her tech knowledge to make parenting easier.