Do you think it's difficult to ensure your business is running ethically? Even kids can do it!

ABC News is reporting the great efforts of Hazelbrook Public School in the NSW Blue Mountains, that has worked with a local business and Indian producers to deliver 100% Fair Trade uniforms for the students.

 

Image: ABC News

 

The initiative was largely driven by a local parent – Anna Dohnt. Four years ago, Anna travelled to India to meet with potential producers and to examine the ways that local materials could be recycled into the new garments.

The result? Change Threads - an ethical clothing company producing everything from business shirts to school uniforms

Fast forward to 2016, and as school returns for a new year, the bright blue-and-yellow polo shirts that make Hazelbrook's students so distinctive are looking fantastic. The fabric is 50% plastic that is locally sourced - and ensures the tops are hard-wearing as well.

 

Target's original online promotion

 

These efforts are even more amazing in light of recent controversy around both K-Mart and Target promoting a back-to-school special with $2.00 uniforms. The outlets sourced their uniforms from Bangladesh and China, respectively, and drew plenty of fire from irate customers

While the promotions could be held up as just more examples of the global economy and a highly-efficient logistics system, there was criticism the price was simply, "Too cheap."

 

"...someone else is paying for your discount."

 

Or, to put it another way, it's not great to dress your child in a nice, new uniform that was probably made by someone of a similar age in spurious conditions in a country where people are often paid well below what is considered a ‘living wage’.

Following the tragic fire in 2013, both Kmart and Target signed the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord. However, despite both companies assuring customers that they do not contravene Bangladesh’s minimal wage, this is still a number that many consider to be too low to allow for a pathway out of poverty for those in the developing nation

 

 

What the Kmart/Target controversy did do was highlight an underlying sentiment within the community supporting fair trade. This is something that makes Ms Dohnt’s timely initiative all the more exciting and, with the whole of Hazelwood behind her, it’s only a matter of time until other schools jump on the trend.

[Change Threads]