By Ritu Bhargava
Every so often we all think about buying fair trade, handmade, overall good-for-the-world products. I’m sure many of us have turned to Etsy and Whole Foods to satisfy this urge, with the disappointment that there doesn’t seem to be anything else out there. What about affordable clothes? And jewelry? Furniture or school supplies?
Now is the time to take note. Pull out those holiday gift checklists and start bookmarking websites for long-term use. Compiled is a list of authentic companies working to improve our world one step at a time.
Don’t know what to get someone? Here are a few go-to products that will put a smile on anyone’s face.
- Scholarships in Northern Thailand to combat human trafficking. The Sold Project prevents child trafficking and exploitation in Thailand through culturally relevant programs for vulnerable children and shares their stories to empower creative, compassionate people to act.
- Outdoor products. Cotopaxi creates innovative outdoor products and experiences that fund sustainable poverty relief, move people to do good, and inspire adventure.
- Headphones, earbuds, and bluetooth speakers. LSTN’s goal is to produce premium audio products and use proceeds from sales to change lives through the power of music. For every purchase, we help provide hearing aids to a person in need through our Charity Partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation.
- Fairtrade and organic cotton socks. PACT is committed to organic cotton to minimize their impact on the environment and improve the conditions and quality of life for the people who make their clothing.
Clothing for Him and Her
- Female undergarments, activewear and swim attire. Naja aims to disrupt the way lingerie is marketed toward women by creating a brand that seeks to empower women instead of objectifying them. They believe in caring for our environment and in the preservation of a clean ecosystem for all of its living beings.
- Shirts and scarves for men and women. HOPE is an ethical leisure wear brand that celebrates the idea that fewer means better. They believe that clothing can only be beautiful if it’s made that way, sourced from sustainable materials and crafted under fair working conditions.
Shoes, Jewelry, & Accessories
- Shoes, bags, jewelry, and accessories for men and women. Nisolo believes in effortless style and versatile design that complement your lifestyle. All Nisolo producers are offered beyond fair trade wages, extensive benefits, and a healthy working environment. Through their direct-to-consumer model, customers receive the best of the best at a fair price point.
- Jewelry for women (including kids). Starfish Project is an organization that cares for women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in Asia.
Kids
- A compilation of products working to help children is provided by Give Generation here and STORYWEAVER MERCANTILE here.
Compilation of Products
- Give Generation is a collection of products from brands that give back to a variety of causes locally and around the world. We work tirelessly to find the most innovative, creative, and practical stuff out there and aim to bring them to you directly.
- STORYWEAVER MERCANTILE is focused on partnering with organizations who are actively making an impact in the world and works to bring together in one marketplace their best products. Most importantly, the company shares their partners’ stories to spread the knowledge of the amazing work they are doing to bring justice, mercy, and hope to some of the most marginalized people in the world.
