Woolworths has been named the Responsible Retailer of the Year in the 2008 World Retail Awards.

There were 6 companies put forward, however Woolworths international recognition for it commitment to responsible business practice set them ahead of the competition, winning them first prize.  Contenders for the award are judged upon their standards of good practice through initiatives that add ethical value and represent long term commitments in the areas of employment practices, sourcing, environmental polices, fair trade and supply chain.  

The first of a four part series on BBC 3 was screened last night, which follows a group of fashion addicts who experience the life of a factory worker in India.  The factories make clothes for the British high street and the six young adults experience what it is like to work in the mills of India’s cotton belt and stitch clothes in cramped back rooms, sleeping next to their sewing machine.

A real eye opener for the group involved and the public who tuned in last night, don’t miss the next episode which is scheduled for Tuesday 29^th April on BBC 3 at 9pm.

Today people from around the world are celebrating Earth Day an annual event that promotes environmental awareness and a healthy, sustainable planet.  Earth Day Network now comprises of over 17,000 organisations in over 174 countries all encouraging “environmental citizenship and year-round progressive action worldwide”.  To find out more about events going on in your area log onto ww2.earthday.net

Co founders, David and Clare Hieatt talk from Howies HQ, Cardigan about their trials and tribulations of setting up an ethically focused business and how selling the company to Timberland has enabled them to keep the company afloat but still have full creative control to read more follow this link www.timesonline.co.uk

The Soil Association was recently involved in association with luxury lifestyle group, Quintessentially to help organise an organic-themed event named the ‘Feast of Albion’ that took place at The Guildhall in London.  The main ethos of the event was that the food served by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was all organic and from certified organic farms within a 50 mile radius of the venue.  All the food was delivered to the event by cyclists in aid of a carbon light food delivery. 

The gala evening attracted celebrities such as Mike Jagger, Jemima Khan, Sophie Dahl and Tom Parker Bowles to name but a few.  Guests were entertained with the best of British food, fashion and music all in aid of helping to promote the Soil Association reconnect people with good healthy, seasonal, local and organic food produced in sustainable ways.

www.soilassoication.org/feastofalbion

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the environmental organisation that campaign to free our beaches and seas from toxic chemicals, litter and nuclear waste has launched its first organic range of hoodies and t-shirts to help fund its work.

The interestingly designed range are all made from certified organic cotton and printed with certified organic ink.  The range can be viewed online at www.sas.org.uk with t-shirts starting from £20.