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What is ethical consumerism?

Ethical consumerism is about how you choose to spend your money and what sort of goods you choose to buy.

• What you spend your money on affects other people and the environment.

• Ethical consumers buy things from companies that act ethically. These companies try not to harm the environment or society.

• Trade affects the economies of other countries and groups within society positively and negatively.

• Our consumption also affects the environment.

• Does our prosperity and happiness come at a cost to others?

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Environmental issues

•Whatever we buy is made from resources. These resources are in limited supply.

•At the same time when we buy things there is usually some part we throw away. Perhaps we dispose of the packaging or a part of the item that is used up.

•When we use gas or electricity we add to the demand for fuel and this increases greenhouse gases. When we drive we contribute to pollution.

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

On average people in the UK throw away their own body weight in rubbish every two months. This adds up to nearly one tonne of waste every year per person.

• In the past rubbish has been dumped in landfill sites which spoils large areas of the countryside.

• Or it is incinerated which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

• Recycling can reduce a large proportion of this rubbish.

• Many items could be reused.

• Less packaging would mean less waste.

• Recycled materials can be used repeatedly for disposable items.

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Reducing consumption

Reducing your consumption also reduces how much you contribute to the environmental problems of global warming and waste disposal. It also helps you save money.

• Switch off electrical appliances when not used

• Reuse plastic bags

• Recycle newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans

• Walk, cycle or share transport instead of driving your car

• Buy second-hand goods or clothes.

What other ways are there to consume less and save money?

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Fair Trade

The way in which Western countries trade with poor nations affects their standard of living and in many cases keeps people in poverty.

If we changed the rules of trade to be fair we could improve the lives of millions of people.

When you buy certain products you are helping big Western businesses exploit people from poorer nations.

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An Unequal World

Rich countries limit and control poor countries' share of the world market by charging high taxes on imported goods.

As a result many poor countries can only afford to export raw materials, which give far lower returns than finished products. For example:

• Western companies buy cotton and cocoa at very low prices from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

• These companies turn them into expensive clothes and chocolate.

• When we buy these things the profit often goes to the big companies and not to the farmers.

Do you know where the chocolates you buy come from and how much (or how little) the producers benefit from your spending?

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Example of Exploitation

One well-known sports manufacturer pays employees $2 to make a pair of trainers which are sold for $67.

These huge multinational corporations employ millions of people on low pay and in bad working conditions in many poor countries around the world.

Often the governments of these poor nations are unlikely to complain for fear of driving away investment.

If you knew that the people who made fashionable clothes were paid very little, would you still want to buy the clothes?

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Fair Trade Labelling 

You may see goods in shops with Fair-trade labelling.

These goods are bought from farmers and local producers at fair prices.

Sometimes the producers share in the profits, helping the money to be invested in their local communities to develop a better quality of life. This money can be used to improve schools and healthcare.

• Would you feel better about buying goods labelled Fair-trade if you knew the profits were going to farmers in poor countries?

• Would you be prepared to pay a little more for these goods?

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Slavery

Around the world millions of people live in slavery.

People are bought and sold and forced to work for little or no pay.

Their working conditions are appalling and they have no way to protect themselves against mistreatment.

Despite the fact that it is illegal, some people are brought to the United Kingdom and made to work against their will, often in fear of being discovered by the authorities.

Would you buy products that you know have been manufactured by people working as slaves?

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Child Labour

Children are made to work in many parts of the world. Sometimes they are forced to do this by forms of slavery.

But conditions of extreme poverty mean children have to work to survive. They go without education and are deprived of the kind of upbringing we in the West are used to.

• If you knew products were made through child labour would you buy them?

• If you were on holiday in a foreign country would you buy goods made by children?

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Animal Welfare

Humans use animals for food and other products, e.g. fur.

Many people no longer tolerate the idea of mistreating animals as it is clear that they suffer as we do.

Modern farming techniques involve keeping many animals together in confined spaces, allowing them limited movement and feeding them processed food. This is done to keep costs down but can cause animals to suffer.

• Recent examples of concern have included the transportation of animals over long distances crammed into lorries.

• The production of veal, which many consider to be inhumane, has also been criticised.

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Pressure Groups

In response to concerns about animal welfare, pressure groups have been formed and new ways of producing food have been adopted. You will see products in supermarkets with labels saying things like:

• Monitored by the RSPCA

• Raised in a cruelty free environment

• Allowed to roam free

• Organically produced.

Would you rather eat meat that comes from animals kept in humane conditions?

Are you prepared to pay more for this?

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Free Range Eggs

In the supermarket you see free range eggs and barn eggs sold alongside other eggs.

Chickens kept in battery farms produce most eggs. The labelling does not tell you this.

The chickens are confined to small wire cages and provided with food and water. They live most of their lives in this space simply to produce eggs.

Free range eggs and barn eggs come from chickens which live in more natural surroundings. They are not confined but are allowed to roam free and eat their normal diet.

• Which eggs would you choose: free range or non-free range?

• If free range eggs cost more would you be prepared to pay extra?

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Fur

Not so long ago fur coats were a luxurious fashion item worn by wealthy women. These days fur isn’t so fashionable and that’s not simply because of the cost.

There have been several pressure groups that have campaigned to raise awareness of the cruelty of fur production.

People who have worn fur in public have been on the receiving end of hostility.

• Is it right or wrong for someone to wear a fur coat? What about leather?

• If you had to choose between a genuine fur coat and a fake fur coat which would you prefer?

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Animal Testing

Many products are tested on animals to ensure that they are safe for humans. These include medicines, household cleaners and cosmetics.

Animals suffer and die in order that products can be sold to us. Some manufacturers now produce a whole range of items which have not been tested on animals.

• If you buy make-up does it bother you if it has been tested on animals?

• Would you pay more for make-up which has not been tested on animals?

• Which products in your home have been tested on animals?

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Ethical Banking & Investment

Your bank invests your money in order to make a profit. Some of this profit it gives to you as interest.

How would you feel if you knew your bank invested your money in:

• The arms trade with poor countries which contributed to ongoing warfare

• Supporting corrupt governments and regimes

• Animal exploitation and cruelty?

Some banks offer investments which ensure that your money is not spent in these areas.