Fairtrade Fortnight offer

2nd February 2016

What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is an ethical standards label which provides a guarantee, via audits carried out by an independent certification body, that developing world producers have been paid a fair price, and had decent working conditions, for products carrying the Fairtrade mark.

Fairtrade.org explains the concept of Fairtrade very simply as “Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers.” Fairtrade.org

In the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) licenses companies to use the Fairtrade mark on products that meet the Fairtrade standards.

What makes a product Fairtrade?
A product will hold the Fairtrade Mark if it has been produced by small scale farmer organisations or plantations that meet the Fairtrade standards. These are social, economic and environmental standards that are set to protect the workers and the environment around them.

Fairtrade is 50% owned by producers.

What does Fairly-traded mean?
Fairly-traded refers to products that don't have Fairtrade certification but which state they have been traded in an ethical manner.

Trading fairly creates trading partnerships, transparency and respect between businesses and suppliers, where both are trying to seek greater equity in international trade. Both parties follow ethical business practises in order to better their trading partnerships with producers.

Businesses like this have often traded ethically for many years before the Fairtrade Mark was introduced and recognise that their products are fairly traded without having to wait for the timely certification.

Hambleside Merchandise and Fairtrade
Hambleside are extremely conscious of environmental and ethical issues and do our utmost to ensure our activities and those of our clients are as responsible as possible.

We offer eco-friendly product options to our clients wherever possible, as well as ranges which are ethically sourced, sustainable, organic and have a reduced carbon footprint.

Many of our suppliers are Sedex and/or WRAP certified which signifies responsible supply chains and accredited production. These products include t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, badges, lanyards and many others.

Hambleside always encourages its clients to select the most eco-friendly products available for their specific purpose. Many of our products are made using; sustainable materials such as FSC timber, recycled materials such as pencils from recycled CD cases, recyclable materials such as sports bottles made from recyclable PE plastic, Organic cottons and Fair Trade material for clothing. 

Our commitment to working with our clients to use environmentally conscious products is shown with our membership to the EAUC.

Fairtrade Fortnight - 29th February – 13th March 2016
Fairtrade Fortnight aims to highlight the many Fairtrade products we can buy from supermarkets. For those who do not usually purchase Fairtrade, it also highlights how easy it is to substitute branded items for Fairtrade products. The campaign includes ideas such as holding a Fairtrade breakfast and holding a Trade Fair.

To raise awareness of Fairtrade Fortnight we are giving away Fairtrade chocolate bars with the first 100 orders received in the fortnight.

Our Fairtrade chocolate can be branded, and is an excellent way of demonstrating your institution’s values. By handing out Fairtrade chocolate, you are presenting your brand as honourable, positive and proactive towards more transparent trading between producers and consumers.

Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! 29 February - 13 March.