Fashion - the real costWhy People Tree campaigns for organic cotton and Fair Trade throughout |
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Last year we spent less of our disposable income on clothing and footwear than in 1977. The high street argues that this is thanks to efficiency in production and transportation, but what has been evident is that the real social and environmental costs are generally not being paid when we buy fashion. When People Tree first started the organic cotton collection we wanted not only to make the most environmentally and people friendly clothes - we wanted each item of clothing to be a tool - a tool that would strengthen communities where it was made, and a tool that would push the fashion high street to clean up its act. The conventional cotton industry can have a devastating effect on farmers, textile workers and the environment, with the World Health Organisation estimating that 20,000 people a year die in developing countries from pesticide poisoning. People Tree wants to show the world how cotton can be grown sustainably, at the same time providing good livelihoods for the farmers who grow it and for the workers that transform it into fabulous clothes for you. Fairtrade Production Most of People Tree certified organic cotton comes from Agrocel, based in Gujarat, India. People Tree is Agrocel's biggest organic and Fairtrade certified cotton customer. In the last six years, Agrocel has been able to extend its support to farmers from 200 to 6,000 locally and work with People Tree to start an organic cotton project in Bangladesh. Fairtrade and organic farming helps create sustainable agriculture that benefits the farmer and rural economy. Farmers are trained in organic farming, using crops and organic pesticides to control pests instead of expensive and harmful chemicals which also saves them up to 3,000 rupess (about £36) per acre. Alternatives such as organic manures are prepared from plant waste and cow dung, and neem plant is crushed to create a deterrent to pests. With higher prices and additional premiums, the benefits of Fairtrade are kept within the community, supporting acccess to clean water in local schools, ponds for improved access to water and drip irrigation to reduce water consumption in farming by over 60%. With better infrastructure in the rural areas, people are starting to return home from the cities to the rural areas.
Fair Trade throughout The Fairtrade certified organic cotton from Agrocel is then moved to a Fair Trade project in southern India set up by Franciscan nuns to provide livelihoods for deaf, mute and poor women. |
The social business enables women to earn over 30% higher than local garment factory worker norms and provides an environment of respect and support to these women. Assisi Garments started out as a small tailoring group led by a visionary Franciscan nun called Sister Vineetah. They survived by taking simple work from surrounding factories which helped them to feed themselves and learn the skills of the trade. At that time 3 young women had disabilities and 5 were from poor backgrounds and in desperate need of work to help their families. When we met them they were happy to stitch t-shirts made of organic cotton, this is how the huge transition started. Now Assisi is made up of two factories, employs 150 people - and produces organic cotton Fair Trade clothing.
People Tree's orders through Assisi have supported a health support programme in Kerala and a hospital that treats cancer patients from the villages that would otherwise not be able to afford it. At People Tree we are happy that the use of Fairtrade certified organic cotton is starting to be adopted by the major retailers. What makes People Tree different is that our manufacture is Fair Trade as well as our use of Fairtrade certified and organic fibre. It is the pioneering nature and single-mindedness of People Tree's work that sets us apart from the high street. Also, everything we do is Fair Trade - People Tree would not have the luxury of subsidising its Fair Trade product with profits from other clothing made without the respect for people and the environment. |
