Fairtrade is on the move in Great Britain

Figures presented on occasion of the Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK have shown that sales of Fairtrade products are doubling every year in the country. Last year, more than £ 5 million was spent on Fairtrade cotton products alone. This means that UK consumers  have overtaken the Swiss and the country has become the world’s biggest Fairtrade market.

Marks & Spencer has been working on a conscious image by changing packaging, phasing out Azo dyes and launching Fairtrade cotton products like rugs, bedding, children’s wear and men’s shirts. The company talks about raising its Fairtrade cotton quota from 100 to 6,000 tonnes by next year.

Sainsbury’s launched its Tu fashion range last year and is now UK’s 11th biggest fashion retailer. Its own Fairtrade range made from cotton has been launched just recently. Last year, the chain placed Britain’s biggest ever Fairtrade cotton order for 40 tonnes - this year, it is expected to reach 100 tonnes. The 100 % rate of Fairtrade bananas will also be reached shortly.

Co-op was the first supermarket to introduce Fairtrade in the country by selling coffee in 1992. Many products have been added, like mangoes and pineapples as well as own-brand Fairtrade wine. Just recently, one million Fairtrade Bags for Life have been ordered, made of unbleached, biodegradable cotton.

http://environment.guardian.co.uk