Recycling Green Moms

What:  Fair Trade is a system of exchange that strives for better equity and international trading.  The basic guidelines for something to be considered fair trade include: fair wages for work, environmental sustainability, providing public accountability, respecting culture identity, and educating consumers.  Essentially, what it comes down to is offering great products to people that are ethically made and that are affordable and unique.  Some of the products that are offered as fair trade products include clothing and food, furniture and home décor, toys and jewelry as well as many other items.

The Fair Trade Federation[i], a part of the global fair trade movement, is an association that works with the North American organizations who are committed to fair trade practices.  They accomplish this by building sustainable and equitable partnerships for trading as well as working to end global poverty. 

Knowing what fair trade is about is the beginning.  So, that all sounds fine, but why take the extra time and effort to look for fair trade items?  How do you know when they are fair trade and are these things readily available?  Why shouldn’t I just keep on shopping at my local stores like Wal-Mart[ii] for all my goods? 

Why:  We need to look at the difference between conventional products and the fair trade products from beginning to end.  By looking at particular common products we can start to get a picture of the reasons why to shop fair trade. 

• Coffee:  America lives on coffee and is the world’s largest consumer of the wonder bean.  What few of us realize is that the coffee workers most often work in situation much like the clothing industry’s sweat shop[iii].  The farmer is often paid less for the coffee beans than the cost of production spiraling him into poverty and debt.  Fair trade coffee assures us that the coffee we enjoy in the morning was purchased under fair conditions and certification[iv] and at fair prices.  Think about how you enjoy your coffee, and then think about the process involved as well as the people involved that allows you to enjoy your coffee.  When we purchase fair trade coffee we are creating community development, health and education as well as practicing environmental responsibility.
• Clothing:  Like coffee fair trade clothing assures us that the clothing we are wearing did not come from a sweatshop.  The materials used have come from environmentally responsible sources, the clothing was made under good conditions and the workers were paid fair wages.  When you slip on that trendy outfit do you know how it was produced?  Perhaps someone much like your mother, your daughter or your little brother or sister stitched up your trendy jeans in a hot warehouse where they work long hard hours and are paid very little or nothing at all leaving them in poverty so you can strut in style.  It may sound harsh but the reality of it is harsh.
• Toys:  Fair trade toys can address several issues that are surrounding toys today.  You may not be able to find the trendy toys that are advertised endlessly on the television as a fair trade toy, mostly because they are produced very cheap in China and shipped here to be sold at engorged prices.  You will also not find lead contamination in fair trade toys.  What you will find is hand made beautiful dolls, toys and games that are made ethically and environmentally responsible at fair prices.  These toys promote imagination and education as well as offering unique play experiences.

There are so many products that are fair trade that with a little time and energy you can support the global movement to provide great products and enrich the lives of those who make and provide these products.  By working together we can help put and end to poverty and take a step in the green direction as well.

How:  The how’s of fair trade are becoming easier all the time.  Look for the fair trade certification symbol, you will find it in many grocery stores’ coffee isle.  Additionally, shopping at places like Ten Thousand Villages with locations all over the United States is an easy and fun way to buy fair trade products.  A few great online locations for fair trade products include: the Global Exchange online store  and Ten thousand villages at www.tenthousandvillages.com.  For a list of fair trade certified members go to www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/. 

It is time that we band together globally in our views and our actions.  By supporting others in the world and working to end poverty in all parts of the world we are also helping ourselves.  Often we think we are an isolated entity but really we are all connected.  America imports most of what we buy and supporting ethical practices we offer healthy and responsible ways of life for all.

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More and more people these days are realizing the benefits of “going green.” Green living is a simple way in which every individual can do their part to help our society have less of an impact on the environment and help our society prosper in ways that will keep our habitat clean and tenable for generations to come.

The chemical products that most of us use every day are, in fact, not very good for our environment. Do you ever think about what happens to all these substances once they get dumped down the drain? They all get dumped somewhere and more often than not they have some sort of side effect on environment around them. The good news is that there are green alternatives to just about every chemical compound that you use every day. 

For shower and tile cleaning, try using Seventh Generation’s Shower Cleaner or Method Tub n’ Tile Cleaner. Both products are eco-friendly, not tested on animals, and bereft of any harsh chemicals produced in labs.

A good, “green” way to control odors around the house is to use EcoDiscoveries’ AirZyme Air and Fabric Deodorizer.  This spray is made only with key, natural enzymes that break down odor molecules, instead of simply covering them up with various chemical smells.

When it comes to cleaning the toilet, Seventh Generation once again has a great green alternative available. Their toilet bowl cleaner smells great, does the job, and is only made with plant-derived substances.

When it comes to recycling, make sure that you take part in your municipality’s recycling program. Also, make sure that your family actively recycles everything that it possibly can. Though everybody knows that aluminum cans may be recycled, cardboard, glass, plastic bottles and paper can also all be recycled as well. Once you fully embrace recycling, expect to reduce the amount of trash you produce by 50%.

The best way to make sure that your family is doing all that it can, especially in larger families, is to have one or two people in the home be in charge of recycling. This person or persons is on charge of making sure that everyone recycles. They should be familiar with what can and cannot be recycled and be willing to keep an eye on the trash to make sure that nothing is going to waste. This can be a fun and exciting job for kids with an eye for detail.

You also want to make certain that you don’t simply throw out your yard clippings with your general trash. Yard clippings produce gasses that can cause major problems for landfills and should therefore be deposited in a special yard waste can if your municipality provides one. If that is not an option, your yard clippings (as well as appropriate fruit and vegetable kitchen waste) can be used to make excellent compost if you have a flower or vegetable garden. Simply place them in a compost pile ina corner of your yard or buy a composter that can easily contain it all in one place. You can then draw from your compost whenever you need mulch or soil for planting.

These are some great ways and great healthy products for you to try when you begin your green journey. You will feel great about even one little change you make in your home for you and your family.

Going green is easier than you may think, just making a few changes and you are on your way.  One of the mistakes that many people make when trying to live a more environmentally responsible life is trying to make too many changes all at once.  The result is often giving up on everything to go back to what is familiar and considered easier.  By using the list offered below you can track important changes and where your family is with these changes. 

The best approach is to try and make just one or two changes at a time, when your family has completed a change on the list move on to another.  Let the whole family get involved in choosing what changes you will make and when.  No two families are exactly alike and therefore the changes you make may not be in the order given or the same order in which other families make changes; do what is right for you and your family.  Remember, every change towards a greener life is a step in the right direction! 

This is a relatively small list of important changes you and your family can make to support the green movement and be natural stewards of the Earth.  For a more comprehensive list check out the book Its Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth Friendly Living by Crissy Trask.  The entire book is laid out into sections and check lists to help you live a green life that is easy to begin and easy to maintain.

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