Four things you can do

Look for products that are:

• Local, from independent shops
• Made by small-scale/local/‘ethical’ companies
• From a co-operative
• Fair trade, organic and/or GM-free
• Sweatshop-free
• Eco-friendly and/or animal-friendly
• Energy-saving/second hand

Use the internet to check company websites, google brands for scandals, and check out our useful links to websites and guides to see if brands you purchase are researched by independent consumer organisations.

It is always good to ask the company themselves about the information you find, or if there is no information available about them on the internet, request it from them personally.

Some companies need consumer pressure to encourage them to seek greater accountability in their complex supply chains. Here’s some helpful wording and questions you can use or change, to send emails to your favourite brands:

Dear 

I am a long term wearer/user/consumer of your products.

I love the way your… (clothes look, feel, make me feel, last/ the taste of your products, xxxx is my all time favourite chocolate bar/I am your biggest fan! Etc…)

As I become more aware of my links to others around the world, and the impact we have on them and their environments, I’m looking at supply chains of products I buy, and I’m hoping you can help me. I’d love more information about the products I buy from you, and look forward to your response.

The following questions concern (all of your branded products/just the xxxx product):

(Choose questions from the following list that fit your particular ethics when it comes to impact on people, animals and the environment)

People:

• Where is it made?
• How were the people involved in producing it treated?
• Were they paid a fair wage?
• Did they work in decent conditions?
• How do you gather information relating to workers’ treatment ?

Environment:

• What environmental harm was caused by producing it?
• How far has it been transported?
• How much packaging does it have?
• How much energy does it use?
• Is it recyclable and/or biodegradable?
• How do you gather information relating to environmental issues?

Animals:

• Were animals harmed during its production?

Or:

Take a selfie showing your label and ask the brand #whomademyclothes? on your favourite social media platform and see what happens. Visit our research page to read more about this campaign by Fashion Revolution.

Now, depending on the replies you receive, and whether you think these companies have enough concern for their impact on our world, maintain or change your behaviour!