Fair Trade 101

Fair trade is a term used frequently in sustainable living circles but like many "green" words, there tends to be confusion as to its meaning.  Fair trade is a sustainability concept and is an alternative way of doing business - one that builds equitable, long-term partnerships between consumers in North America and producers in developing regions. 

The word “fair” can mean a lot of different things to different people and there are myths  about what fair trade really is.  Fair Trade is about more than just paying a fair wage. It is also not charity. It means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect; that prices paid to producers reflect the work they do; that workers have the right to organize; that national health, safety, and wage laws are enforced; and that products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources. 

Components of Fair Trade include: 

•    Fair wage.

•    Fair working conditions.

•    Open information exchanges between producers, consumers, and companies.

•    Long-term trade relationships between corporations and producers.

•    Practices that promote environmental protection and sustainable practices.

•    Elimination of unnecessary middlemen between producers and consumers.

•    Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible.

•    Providing equal opportunities for advancement all people.

•    Being open to public accountability.

•    Ensuring the rights of children.

•    Cultivating environmental stewardship.

•    Respecting cultural identity.

As expressed in our sustainability consulting, fair trade is a sustainable business model that has multiple environmental and social impacts: click here to continue reading.   Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".   TAIGA6619