Why do we only use Fairtrade cotton?
When we started out back in 2005, our Founder Nick wanted to do business a little differently. Alongside some other wonderful UK brands, Little Green Radicals become one of the first companies to use Fairtrade certified cotton. Simply put, this means we pay more for the cotton we use, which gives more to the farmers, their families and the communities who grow it. We’re privileged to work with fantastic cotton growers like Chetna Organics from Yavatmal in India, who now have nearly 36,000 cotton farmers who work together, sharing their knowledge and experience. Of course, it also means decent working standards throughout the supply chain, including the places where the cotton is spun into thread, turned into fabric and made into clothes, and all the cotton we use is organic too. This is particularly important because intensive pesticide use to grow cotton is harmful to farmers and their families.
All the cotton we use is Fairtrade certified.
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How does Fairtrade benefit our farmers?
economic benefits
a fair price
Fairtrade farmers get paid a guaranteed minimum price, plus they have more bargaining power to work together and get a better price for their cotton.
extra money
On top of this, farmers received the Fairtrade premium. This is an additional sum which goes into a communal fund for the farmers to use as they see fit.
productivity
Fairtrade farms have better yields and crops through organic training, shared knowledge via cooperatives and investment.
environmental benefits
protection
Fairtrade sets standards to protect the environment, including carbon reduction, water and soil quality, water management and no GMO’s.
training
To encourage environmentally friendly practices, like developing nutrient-rich soils and encouraging wildlife to help control pests and diseases.
sustainability
Fairtrade can provide access to finance and expertise in tackling climate change, supporting long-term environmental sustainability.
social benefits
empowerment
Fairtrade farmers usually work together as a cooperative. This helps to gives them more power to negotiate better prices for their cotton.
equality
Fairtrade Standards are designed to prevent gender inequality, increase participation and empower more women to access the benefits of Fairtrade.
community
The extra premium benefits the whole community. Democratically elected representatives choose how it's spent and it is a really important part of Fairtrade.
How does Fairtrade work?
Fairtrade cotton farmers get paid a fair price for the work they do. They have much more security than conventional farmers as they receive a guaranteed price for their cotton, even if the market price takes a dive. On top of this, they get paid extra money (called a premium) that is used to support their community. It might be used to build a school, or a well – it’s up to them – but little by little, Fairtrade farmers see an improvement in their daily lives. The Fairtrade Foundation supports small scale farmers, who often group together to increase their influence by forming co-operatives. They use a certification scheme (the Fairtrade Standards) which have minimum requirements including no child labor, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and they also provide direct and indirect support to deepen social and environmental sustainability.
Unravelling the Thread: The Story of Fairtrade Cotton
Want to know a bit more about how your clothes are made? Here's a wonderful video from the Fairtrade Foundation that explores where cotton comes from and some of the difficulties faced along the supply chain. It's specifically aimed at young people to help them understand the impact of fast fashion and highlights the difference we can make to people’s lives through our buying choices. Keep any eye out for Arun from our cotton partners, Chetna Organic discussing the impact of Fairtrade!