Ethical consumerism involves purchasing items that support human rights. This is a popular term in today’s society, and an increasing number of consumers are searching for ways to support companies that practice ethical standards. An industry that is seeing a push for high-quality products that are produced in a way that supports human rights is the clothing industry. Consumers are demanding human rights clothes and looking for ways to purchase them.
A great way for consumers to know they are purchasing clothing that is produced in an ethical fashion is by purchasing items labeled as Fair Trade. Fair Trade items are produced in factories that give workers basic rights, such as the right to a fair wage, maternity leave, sanitary working conditions and healthcare provisions. Clothing items certified by the Fairtrade association are labeled as such, so a consumer need only view the tags to know the items were made responsibly.
Another way to find clothing manufacturers that support human rights is to buy organic. Organic products like organic t-shirts are made with cottons grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals. Organic cottons cause less harm to the environment and in turn, less harm to the people in communities surrounding the cotton fields.
One complaint that surrounds the purchase of human rights clothing is the higher price tags. Garment manufacturers who enforce fair trade standards often charge more for the items they sell, which means a higher cost is passed on to consumers. While saving money is important, it is also important to understand there is a reason behind the higher price attached to these articles of clothing. When factories offer workers a fair wage, good working conditions and a few basic benefits, they have to pay for those things in some way. Some of the cost must be passed on to consumers, which is why these items typically cost a little more. It is also important to consider that, while consumers pay more for ethical clothing, these products help to provide livable conditions in communities. When a community has improved living conditions, members of that community require less assistance to sustain their existence.
Ethical consumerism is a growing trend that benefits individuals everywhere. When consumers demand ethical working standards by purchasing items with human rights in mind, industries are forced to respond. This creates sustainable communities and improves the lives of individuals everywhere. What a great reason to purchase human rights clothes!