Not so Sustainable

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Coca-Cola, Nestle and Mars fail to look after the farmers producing the raw materials they rely on every day to make a big fat profit. Associated British Food (ABF) received the lowest rating with 13 out of 70 points. They produce goods such as Silver Spoon Sugar, Ovaltine and Kingsmill. Shockingly, the cereal shelf favorite Kellogg’s was also pretty poor, scoring 16 out of 70.

These rating are based on how their production impacts the local community, the environment and the welfare of the smallholders at the bottom of the pile. So, how and what are they tested on?

As part of their ‘Behind the Brands’ campaign, Oxfam measure the ‘big 10’ brands in seven categories. 

These categories are:
·         Transparency of their supply chains and general operations
·         How they ensure the rights of workers
·         How they protect women’s rights
·         Their management of water
·         Their management of land
·         Their policies to reduce the impact of climate change
·         How they ensure the rights of the smallholders growing their ingredients

How all of the Big 10 fared

What confuses me is that, when asked to comment on their poor ratings, big companies such as coca-cola recited something as fleetingly satisfying as the very drink they are famed for. The trigger words are rife. ‘Sustainable…..sustainable…..sustainable’.  The meaning of this word has been debated for years. I acknowledge that Oxfam and Coca-cola will have varying ideas on just how ‘to-the-letter’ production can be, however it seems as though the ‘big 10’ have to readdress their definition of sustainability if these results are anything to go by.

In the treatment of women category, the management of land and its climate change policies, ABF scored just 1 out of 10. At a time when the British food industry is suffering from the horsemeat backlash, Oxfam have definitely struck whilst the iron is hot.

Check out the Oxfam - ‘Behind the Brands’campaign here. 

Is “Shwopping” the new way to shop?

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 Let’s face it, we Brits are pretty good at shopping, but what if there was an incentive to give back whilst spending our money?

 “Shwopping” is the new craze which invites customers to hand over an old item of clothing every time they buy a new one.

 Marks and Spencer’s are in partnership with the Oxfam Charity to help stop one in four items of clothing brought in the UK ending up in the bin. Ab Fab actress Joanna Lumley is helping to launch the cause and in doing so has positively grabbed the media’s attention.

 Customers are encouraged to donate their old clothes in M&S stores bins provided next to the tills in the many stores across the UK when picking up a new item of clothing. (Although you don’t need to buy in order to donate). The clothes will then be recycled and then resold by Oxfam charities in their shops, to reduce landfill whilst helping those in need.

 So if you’re in need of a good clean out in the home, or simply fancy helping those who are less fortunate, then take your unwanted clothes to one of the 342 M&S stores across the UK, and become an honorary “shwopper”.

 To find out more information on recycling unused textiles or shoes, visit Wasteconnect’s factsheet HERE

 Hope you're having a good week, its very gloomy here in Green Achiever HQ, the rain won't seem to ease-off and its very chilly! 

Sources:

• Joanna Lumley launches Marks & Spencer's Shwopping campaign: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/phong-luu/TMG9228252/Joanna-Lumley-launches-Marks-and-Spencers-Shwopping-campaign.html

• M&S launches 'shwopping' scheme: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/apr/26/marks-spencer-shwopping-scheme?intcmp=122