Topshop’s new campaign to encourage us to recycle our clothes is in collaboration with TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development).  You will now be able to take any unwanted and unloved clothes along to Topshop stores and pop them in a collection box.The campaign ‘Topshop wants your Rubbish’ has been launched in a bid to build on the company’s new eco-friendly and ethical intentions.  TRAID is a good cause for Topshop to be supporting - it promotes the recycling and re-use of clothing as a way of raising money to reduce world poverty.

The UK spend 30% of world’s total value of Fairtrade goods and new figures reveal that sales grow from £325 million to £560 million last year.  Globally, spending rose by 47% from £1.2 billion to £1.8 billion and by value, Fairtrade sales in the UK and the USA  grew by 72% and 46% respectively, with Sweden and Norway showing the highest rises of 166% and 110%.  The calculation made upon these figures means that 1.5 million producers and workers in 58 developing countries benefit from a higher price for their goods now.

High Street Eco Branding

Branding specialists Nilorn, have published a statement about how eco-awareness is growing into garment branding and the fashion retail market is becoming more and more aware with branding.  This increasingly reflects the trend for clothes with a more organic and eco look.  The result is an increasing number of garment ‘adornments’ (labels, tags, zippers etc ) that suggest a little eco-chic. For example a green couture using more natural labels and brand accessories gives the impression of eco-friendly and natural clothing. Look out for rope-ties and ribbons that attach tags to the clothing labels, as well as lots of natural colours; creams, browns and beiges that all add to that eco-trendy vibe.

Eco-appeal is where its at and nearly every major brand is adjusting the tone of what it does to reflect that! 

Film to watch…http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour 

The BBC program Panorama recently broadcasted an investigation into Primark’s use of child labour.  The high street chain that specializes in fast fashion was brought under fire when it was brought to viewers attention that the company was using three factories in India that use child labour.  Primark have hit back and reportedly sacked the Indian suppliers, but how many other fast fashion outlets are still continuing to use these factories, enslaving children as young as 5 to sew on sequins?

In a recent podcast interview, Greenpeace Executive Director, Gerd Leipold comments on Carbon Offsetting and how ‘misleading’ it is and points out that right now the planet is moving further away, not closer to real sustainability. In the interview, Leipold says he thinks that tree-planting schemes mean ‘the potential for fraud is huge’.  As readers will know, a cabal of companies, large and small, is busy proclaiming itself ‘Carbon Neutral’.  Governments are concerned by how easily these firms can buy offsets that magic-away their environmental impacts, but can do little about it.  Leipold says sustainability reports by companies appear to indicate that they operate ‘in the garden of Edun’, with no connection to environmental reality.  He concludes that the UK government is now ‘the world champion in climate rhetoric’ - harsh but true! 

The annual Observer Ethical Awards is in its third year and the winners for each category have been announced.  The competition was high and the judging tough as more businesses turn their hand to being more ethical and environmentally focused.  read more to find out who were the winners http://observer.guardian.co.uk/ethicalawards/story/0,,2283845,00.html