Fair Trade and the Environment

NBC Universal just completed their first Green Week, a week of green-themed programming aimed at entertaining, informing and empowering Americans to lead greener lives. While the increase in "green" awareness grows, anti-green events have shared equal billing in the news. Back in mid-August, Mattel made big headlines for its massive recall of 9 million toys due to concerns over lead paint and magnets.

So, how does fair trade enter into the discussion about the environment? Well, if you’re dealing with larger cooperatives or factories, you’d address issues related to more environmental practices and policies. What kind of materials are being used in their dyes? Are there chemicals that are used in the finishing process of a chair? What becomes of those residual materials and how are they disposed of?

However, at Global Village Trading, we’re dealing with the smallest of the small and the weakest of the weak in terms of countries as well as artisans. These issues are more difficult to take on simply because there isn't a basis for education nor are there established systems of treatment and disposal. There simply isn't the infrastructure in place to fully address these issues.

Nonetheless, Global Village doesn't give up on the issue. Instead, we have to take a more simplistic approach. We try and work with artisans and encourage using natural dyes. In the case of our Henna Leather lamps, only natural mineral oxide dyes get applied, as opposed to a pure chemical dye.

Preserving our environment and the resources it provides for the livelihoods of our third world artisans may be aided by major corporate initiatives like NBC Universal's, but it is more likely to occur by encouraging artisans and laborers the world over to take small, fundamental steps like using natural dyes and materials.

Think about what you can do to improve the environment by the choices you are making with your home decor purchases. Often, it's the simple things that make the greatest difference.