shop ethically

on the amount of chemical cleaning products I once purchased and use. Lots of bicarb and vinegar now. It’s amazing how much they do just as a good job, if not better on things like shower screens etc. Ethical shopping because it’s great for the environment :-)

We are also a nestle free home and have been for some time. It can be a hard thing to achieve as it is amazing how much their logo appears on packages!

A friend organises a bulk buy of fair trade tea and coffee so I’m now on her list and put in my first order yesterday. I wish it included chocolate too because it’s so expensive especially cooking chocolate and cocoa. I also bought some fair trade tea though Oxfam which arrived today.

• I’ve bought a lots of games, toys and craft supplies through fundraising catelogues at the boys’ day care centre.
• I bought Christmas cards, ornaments and a few presents from Oxfam They have such beautiful products for sale and all for a good cause.
• I will make up some hampers for a couple of family members and also the daycare centre. I plan to buy locally made biscuits, jams, wine etc

I’ve also started changing the way I shop at the supermarket. Going for more environmentally friendly packaging, organic produce and Australian made.

_{Picture is of one of my new Oxfam Christmas decorations made in Peru from gourd. Sweet, isn’t it?}

for the Deli that I love going to and get our fairtrade coffee from to open up their supermarket. They bought out the old IGA next door to them and have totally revamped it and will be opening their small supermarket very very soon. I can’t wait, because I know that they have a commitment to ethically produced goods and I’m hoping it will also be a good place to get decent organic fruit and vegetables. Might drive past there (yet again) and see if they’ve opened their doors yet.

Green: I bought lots of environmentally friendly cleaning products. Need to find a new source of tissues using recycled paper. Why doesn’t our supermarket stock them any more???

Cruelty Free beauty products: I’ve been doing this for about 15 years. I especially love Natio.
I’ve recently found some good liquid hand soap and deodorant. The only thing I don’t buy is the toothpaste – I really doubt the natural stuff does the job.

Buy local: Need to make a bit more of an effort with this. I think I’ll have to start doing all the weekly shops instead of my husband too as he doesn’t bother. From now on I’ll check if it’s an Australian product and preferably Tasmanian.

Buy organic:Starting to do this more.

I really want to try and be more mindful when choosing Christmas presents this year.

If anyone has any tips for me, please enlighten me :~)

Must think before I buy…

• I’ve stopped buying slave chocolate. Only fair trade now. Luckily I’ve found some good sources. Stops me eating so much too ;-)
  Next time I buy cooking drinking chocolate and cooking cocoa, must remember it must be fair trade too. Liam goes through a bit of Milo though so may have to come up with an alternative. And stop buying chockie biscuits for when guests come over – there are other yummy alternatives.
• Tea. I consume a lot. Luckily I have a huge stash to get through and in the meantime I can seek out some good fair trade tea. I’m a bit fussy.
• Coffee. Don’t drink it but next time I buy it for guests, must remember it needs to be fair trade.

Bad ethical record. Am avioding akll nestle and even will not eat my easter egg and refused polo’s!

My first step will be to choose Fairtrade over non-fairtrade whenever I have the choice at the shops.