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.
Please take a look at our latest article on Business Green - my top tips on greening your business and maintaining those changes to feel long term benefits. .JPG)
You're up to your knees in wrapping paper, there are cardboard boxes strewn all over the place and that doesn't even compare to the groaning mountain of packaging, cans and bottles clogging up the kitchen. When confronted with such a deluge of discarded material, it's tempting to stick it all in a bin bag and hope it goes away. After all, where can you take those broken Christmas lights and that sad looking Christmas tree when the festivities are over? 
The fun option: If they work, sell them or pass them on. Otherwise, there isn't much fun to be had with this tangled mass. 
The fun option: This is a hot topic right now, with the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign in full swing and spin offs such as The Pig Idea gaining lots of media attention. Firstly, really think about how much you need using Secondly, think of some ways in which you plan to deal with leftovers. Aside from turkey sandwiches, here are some recipes for typical 'eyes bigger than stomach' scenarios and here is a fun advent calendar full of waste saving tips.
Many major festivals will provide information on how you can
reach the site, but few actively promote car sharing or public transport. If
you are driving, why not register on GoCarShare.com where you can rent out your
free seats! http://gocarshare.com/ We speak
from experience when we say getting a coach with all our clobber is actually
easier, and cheaper, than you may think. Plus, National Express does some great
deals with major 
…is all it takes to separate your cans and plastic bottles. You would do it at home, so why should a festival change your wonderful good habits? Bottled water and those cans you smuggled in aren’t going to decompose, so take
two large bin bags and put your plastic bottles in one and your empty cans in
the other then tie the tops and take them with you when you leave. Many
festivals now have recycling systems on site. Check out Every Can Counts to
find out how you can contribute and which festivals have signed up to the
scheme. http://www.everycancounts.co.uk/events
Festivals, in our humble opinion, are the best time to go
all out and wear whatever you want. This is a great opportunity to dig those
old jeans out of your cupboard and cut them into shorts and to tie dye those
t-shirts. Getting muddy at a British festival means that it’s no place for
shiny new fashion buys, so why not emulate the seasons distinctly hippy trend
by taking a trip to your local charity shop? Check out Kate Benton’s designs
using old tent fabric http://www.ecouterre.com/withintent-transforms-abandoned-tents-into-recycled-festival-fashion/withintent-recycled-tent-fashion-2/
One thing we won’t tolerate however: socks with sandals. 
