Green News
They may have lost a few of their outlets last year, but that hasn't stopped pioneers of fairtrade coffee-on-the-go AMT from thinking big. And this Thursday, the chain is planning on a world record attempt to hold the largets ever coffee morning at London's Liverpool Street Station.
Starting in the small hours and finishing at midday, the coffee morning is being held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. If you'd like to take part, simply turn up at the station outlet (any time from 4am will do!) and you'll be provided with a free coffee. All AMT want from you is your name on a slip, which can be downloaded here or picked up on the day.
Fairtrade
If, like me, you're into cute, Japanese-style and folksy fashion then you'll probably have noticed that very few of your favourite garments carry the fairtrade label. Possibly the only one we're aware of that does is Onagono, and I was pleased to catch up with designer Tomo at the Fairtrade Fair yesterday.
The bright and cheery clothes looked quite out of place among the t-shirts and coffee stalls, so I had a quick browse through new collection. It includes skirts, tops of all shapes and sizes and even dresses, all in fairtrade and organic fabric. There's also a new range called 'Shining'; a casual wear collection with prints inspired by the beauty of nature. Onagono clothing is available at the Natural Store and in selected boutiques.
Fairtrade
Want to try your hand at being a 'fairtrade activist'? It's easier than it sounds with this event kit, containing over £20 worth of fairtrade product samples.
Alongside the goodies, the kit provides heaps of information on the benefits of fairtrade, helping you spread the word to friends, family or members of the public depending on where you choose to hold your event. Visitors to your fairtrade party can enjoy a range of tasty snacks, including Tropical Wholefoods date and walnut snack bars and Divine chocolate bars, as you chat over a cup of Equal Exchange Ceylon tea. A great idea fo Fairtrade Fortnight, which is coming up on Monday. £13.50 from Ethical Superstore
Fashion & accessories
Soft and fluffy as a cloud, this fairtrade organic cotton towelling robe will keep you warm on those epic, frozen journeys to and from the bathroom.
It's made by Gossypium, who are best known for their ethical fashion range. But they are also, I discovered, amazingly good at bath and body products, sumptuous bed linens and adorable baby clothes. The robe is available in small, medium and large sizes, unisex, and is perfect for an evening's pampering and relaxation. It's also made solely from fairly traded, organic, unbleached cotton -- so you can relax with a clear conscience! £59 from Ethical Superstore.
Related: Bamboo towels from Ecocentric
Green News
Fairtrade Fortnight (25th Feb - 9th March) is almost upon us again and it kicks off this weekend in earnest with a 'fairtrade fairground' on London's South Bank.
Promising to be a great day out for all the family, there'll be a fairtrade tea cup ride, a towering Helter Skelter, a fairtrade coconut shy, candyfloss made with fairtrade sugar and even a fairtrade fortune teller (who, I can only assume, will be using Traidcraft tea-leaves!) Everything at the fair will be brought to you by organisations, charities and businesses that support or sell Fairtrade products. You'll also get the chance to meet the farmers and workers behind the products, and learn first-hand the difference that Fairtrade is making to their communities.
I love the idea of holding an event like this to prove to people how ethically-traded goods can be as varied and interesting as those that exploit third-world growers.
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Fairtrade
This fab fairtrade, hand-knitted 'yard snake' is new at Branch and stole my heart with his stripey bod and droopy grin. And adopting him means you're helping to create income and ultimately a better life for these artisans and their families.
Made by women who belong to a collective of knitters in rural Kenya, the snake is made of natural wool yarn, treated with non-toxic vegetable-based dyes. His practical function (other than scaring off burglars, looking cool and serving as a great plaything for visiting toddlers) is keeping draughts away from your windows and doors, thus saving C02 in these cold times. $36.00 at Branch
Ethical & green gifts
It may be too late for a valentine's day delivery now, but why not go crazy and surprise your object of desire with a shipment of finest fairtrade chocolate on 15th Feb?
Divine Chocolate is giving you the chance to make this 'sweet' gesture for free if you don't mind answering a few questions on its website. It should not take more than five minutes (romantic, eh?) to complete the questionnaire, which will result in a chunky bar of Divine hitting your beloved's doormat in a few days' time. And for a personal touch, you can add a note of your own to appear on an accompanying card.
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