Every month a few select products from the thousands in our database will be featured in this "Best Buy" section. Chosen for their individual (and outstanding) merits, such as value for money or ethical impact, the products you find featured here come with a 5 star bestfairtrade.com rating!
We are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative products, so if you know of something we have yet to feature which you think deserves special recognition, please get in touch and point us in the right direction!
Fashionably Safe ...
Have you ever…?
- Had your bag stolen from a bar or nightclub?
- Put your house keys or phone in a friend’s bag who went home hours ago?
- Had to carry a bag for just a few items as had no pockets to keep them in?
- Wanted to keep your passport or other vital documents safe and close to you at all times.
- Thought that people had the right to a fair wage, education and a decent standard of living?
- Felt nervous walking home alone late at night?
We love this idea - only £55 from JosyFlo. To see the full range, visit www.josyflo.com
Keep Warm!
These snug mittens and hat are made in Nepal from 100% hand knitted wool, with a space dyed wool design. In a mottled red and grey colouring, they are ideal for the up and coming winter months ... AND they are now reduced to only £8.99 for the mittens and £7.99 for the hat.
But hurry, there's only a few left ....
Available at Uneeka.com
Spotted Kitchenware
Bright and cheerful to make household tasks more fun, these kitchen essentials are practical, robust and sustainably produced too.
Made from 100% cotton, the oven gloves, apron and organic cotton drying up cloths are durable and generously sized.
The natural coir coconut fibre doormat is strong and practical, a cheerful way to brighten up your doorway.
This range is crafted by Indian artisans working with BAFTS and IFAT registered fair trade supplier.
Available at http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
Bubble and Balm
Buble and Balm is proud to be one of only two UK beauty companies whose entire product range is Fairtrade certified.
All the products, including soaps, are made in the UK and are natural...no parabens, SLS or other synthetic stuff!
Available at http://www.bubbleandbalm.co.uk
Felt
Unique felt rugs from the Mountains of Heaven available for the first time in the UK!
Hand made from wool using traditional methods, a surface patternn of shapes is applied to a compressed woolen base.
The current collection includes a broad range of patterns and colour combinations from dazzling and bright, to elegant and subtle.
Available at http://www.feltrugs.co.uk
Gossypium
Life is not Fair but...My knickers are!
All Gossypium products are Fairtrade & organic.
Gossypium only use good quality cotton - organic, pure and strong.
Available at http://www.gossypium.co.uk/
Choc-affair
All of Choc-affair products are lovingly, hand made from the finest of Fairtrade chocolate, carefully packaged and sent out for you to enjoy.
They can also create bespoke chocolate products for corporate clients.
Available at www.choc-affair.com
Eco Boudoir for M&S
Let's make sustainability sexy!
Eco-Boudoir lingerie is designed to be good for the body and soul.
Eco-Boudoir create eco-friendly and organic lingerie and nightwear. They work with organic cotton and organic silk to create underwear and lingerie that is beautifully designed, fits perfectly and feels amazing against your skin.
Starting from December the 10th Eco-B can be bought in Marks and Spencer, Marble Arch, W1 and online.
Available at www.marksandspencer.com
Monkee Genes
The first jeans to be awarded the Soil Association Organic Standard and the Global Organic Textile Standard ...
Monkee Genes was born in 2006 out of a frustration and boredom with the jeans market and offers a fresh, vibrant and youthful direction.
Available at www.monkeegenes.co.uk
Recycled ring pull bags
Each bag is handmade by linking hundreds of recycled ring pulls together in a crochet formation. Bottletop has now trained 33 people from their community project in Salvador, Brazil to make these bags.
Available at www.bottletop.org
Eco-friendly Amazon Sandals
Amazons sandals are innovative new footwear which is set to take the flip flop world by storm, using groundbreaking technology to create recycled sandal.
Amazon sandals are manufactured in Brazil from recycled tyres. They're comfortable, anti-allergic and provide excellent grip. Walk about in these for a few days and they will mould perfectly into the shape of your feet. Amazons are strong, durable, and last longer than the average flip flop.
They currently come in two styles – ‘Tupi’ with a black sole, and ‘Cipo’ which has natural fibres from the Cipo plant running through the soles. Both styles are available in a range of 5 different strap colours - gold, black, green, silver and white.
Available at www.amazonsandals.squarespace.com
Eat Chocolate, Save the World
Available at www.organicmeltdown.com
Funky and Furry
These cowhide belts come in a range of colourways with silver coloured or brass oval buckles:
• Brown & white
• Black & white
These colourways are an indication only as variations will occur as each hide is unique. Each is produced with colourful stitching and a vibrant slipper satin lining.
Available at www.pinkihandbags.com
Made in Thailand
This stunning bag is handmade in Thailand out of the softest Italian leather. Petrolina is a beautifully designed bag, with two pockets on the outside with large brass buckles, along with one zip pocket on the inside and two additional pouches and a considerable sized over shoulder strap. The inside of the bag is also lined in adorable pink suede. This classic matt black colour is also timeless and will go with any outfit, summer or winter. This gorgeous bag is a real head turner!
It's in stock now!
£165 from Uneeka
Truly Divine Summer
The latest edition to the Divine chocolate bar range, Divine White Chocolate with Strawberries captures the classic taste of summer strawberries & cream. It’s been a knockout success in the chocolate shop at Liberty’s – London’s most upmarket department store. Also stocked at Oxfam shops nationwide and online at the Divine Chocolate Shop and at Ethical Superstore.
Bath & Beauty from The Body Shop
Shea shower gel/cream
Dry skin will love our soap-free cleanser, packed with moisturising Community Trade shea butter. You'll feel the softness.
Price: £4.68
Shea Body butter
An intenstive, creamy all-over body moisturiser. It absorbs into the skin easily, helping to condition, soften and smooth the skin and prevent dryness, leaving your skin moisturised for up to 24 hours.
Price: £9.76
The Fair trade fashion agenda
By Hand by Safia Minney
"For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there's an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world." - Safia Minney
Through 132 pages of thought-provoking ideas and stunning images, Safia Minney sets out the case for Fair Trade fashion.
Price: £5.00
From www.peopletree.co.uk
Luxury Gift Box
All white packaging with lace trim, casing four 90gram heart shaped soaps, a gift to suit many occasions.
Price: £15.00
From www.yonjaispa.com
Lili Webcam & Oscar USB Hub
Lili. Fair trade & environmentally friendly Webcam
Lili is a real good looking webcam who loves to help you keep in touch with your family and friends. With her brightly coloured body she is the perfect way to liven up any desk! With flexible bendy legs she can sit next to your monitor or grip onto the PC screen for an optimum view.
Each Lili is created in a fair trade factory in Vietnam and she is transported in recycled and recyclable PET packaging. Her whole manufacture has low ecological impact through the use of renewable and recyclable materials.
Price: £29.35
Oscar. Fair trade & environmentally friendly USB Hub
Oscar is a cute addition to any desk. With four USB ports he is always ready to connect you. He has a bright body made from paperboard, cotton, and kapok (a naturally occuring tree fibre).
From http://www.unitedpepper.org.uk
Lavender Bags
Beautiful, pretty lavender bags made from 100% organic cotton and stuffed with 100% organic lavender.
Available in 2 style and 2 sizes, but each is unique!
100% organic cotton
100% organic lavender
Price: £9.79 - £11.74
From: http://www.liv-uk.com
Graphic leaf shopper
Cotton Canvas, size 18x14inch and big box bottom.
Our new big shopper in cotton canvas with AZO-free hand screen print rose and chocolate.
100% Fair-Trade produced
Price: £29.50
From http://www.casacopenhagen.com
Greed for Gain (download) - Gareth Davies-Jones
Gareth Davies-Jones creates an original, passionate sound that blends his Christian faith with a clarion call for justice in our world.
In Gareth's own words, 'music is a powerful communicator, in fact it reaches so deep that it often communicates before it's understood. If you ask me what I hope for with the music I write it would have to be to make such an impact on people that somewhere down the line they feel compelled to do something in response.
By that I mean in terms of the kind of issues that I feel passionately about - faith, justice, fair-trade, street children. I think the biggest problem facing us in the west in this day and age is apathy. Everyone claims to care, but few actually do anything. Injustice, poverty, pain and suffering exist in all parts of the world and I believe that of all the things that we call God-given responsibilities - fighting against these things is paramount.
There are many ways to get active, to make a difference. Casa Alianza, a charity working to care for and bring justice to Street Children in South America, use a saying has inspired me to get going: If you think you are too small to make a difference you've never shared a bed with a mosquito. I'm using my music as a start. Perhaps it'll inspire others to get going as well.'
Fair Trade Music is about:
1. Collaboration - artists and music lovers from all corners of the world helping one another cultivate works that inspire
2. Circular Rewards - original artists getting paid fairly > listeners rewarded with their work
3. Campaigning for Justice - music as an instrument for getting involved in the movement for a better world for one and all.
Price: £0.79
From http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
Eco Balloons
Quality, biodegradable balloons made with exclusive FSC certified and fairly traded rubber.
Pack of 25, mixed colours
Price: £1.95
From http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
Jewellery from "Made"
Single Leaf Earrings
Brass Sheet Earrings. Drops 8cm.
Price: £11.74
West African Brass Bead Bracelet
West African brass beads and recycled brass rectangular shape bracelet. Designed by Pippa Small.
Measurement: One size
Due to the high demand for this product we are currently out of stock. However, we are expecting a delivery very soon from Kenya.
Price: £73.40
The classic & dove doormat
Tough brush type doormat made of 100% natural coir fibres, stencilled brown and bevelled.
Choice of Classic with neat brown border, or Dove, symbol of peace, also in brown. 69cm x 41cm; approximatively
2½cm thick.
Country: India
Price: £9.00
From http://www.onevillage.co.uk
Globetrotter Style Touts Fair Trade Totes for Earth Day
Just because Earth Day has passed, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to keep the idea of Earth Day in your mind.
Get fabulous and indulge your globetrotter fantasy while supporting fair trade products such as these fair trade handbags and fair trade totes.
Fair trade products help third world artisans to make a living wage while they create one of a kind designs using traditional techniques. The colors, fabrics, and details often inspire the likes of the cool Parisian label "Maje" by Judith Milgrom.
From top left clockwise:
Color Splash Sari Bag Recycled Sari Sling Tote - Made from recycled sari patches these bags are made by an artisan co-op in Northern India. $32.00
Bird Handbags One Night Stand fabric bag, $955 at Net-a-Porter
Taraluna Silk and Hemp Net Bag - A Recycled Sari Silk and Hemp bag designed and created in a Fair Trade co-op in Nepal and pays a fair wage to mostly female workers. $18.
Maje Jelica beaded bag $245, at Net-a-Porter
From www.purseblog.com
Maisie Fairtrade Rag Doll
Maisie is a charming hand finished rag doll made by fair trade workers in Sri Lanka. She has beautiful red hair and hand embroidered facial features including wonderful red freckles!
Her purple pinafore dress and green top are made from hand woven cotton, and are both removable, as are her rather fetching white pants!
Height: Approx 36cm
Colours & dimensions may vary slightly from those shown due to the handmade nature of the product
Maisie complies with European safety standards.
Price: £14.99 from www.globalkids.co.uk
Avocado Drape Necklace
Indulge in elegant simplicity. Fair Trade necklace featuring multiple sterling silver chains, plum freshwater coin pearls, hand-carved avocado toggle pendant and tagua beads with Bali silver toggle clap.
A girl's best friend is now even more desirable. Lucina is a collective of American designers in partnership with talented artisans that create the finest line of Fair Trade jewelry available.
- 16 inch necklace
- Fair Trade & sweatshop-free
- made by women's cooperatives
- handcrafted in Ecuador, Bali & USA
- design by Lucina
Price: £99.00 from www.shopequita.com
Peacock Print Halter Maxi Dress
This gorgeously light and floaty fair trade halterneck dress is perfect for summer.
With an attractive peacock print in a choice of colours, this delightful printed cotton dress has a flattering shape and ruffled bottom hem.
Made in India.
Price: £27.95
From www.naturalcollection.com
Palestinian Olive Oil Soap
100% Palestinian Olive Oil Soap made by the Aseela Women's Cooperative.
The cooperative was established in Bethlehem by a group of women who came together to address income-generation needs of families in refugee camps and rural villages.
Aseela strives to produce top quality olive oil products that are simple, natural and made from traditional ingredients. All products are distinctly Palestinian, artfully packaged and exquisitely crafted.
Price: £7.95 from www.globalexchangestore.org
Palewa heart
This is a very pretty heart with little white hearts decorating it from Tara Projects in India. Great to give to someone you care about.
Price: £3.25
Similar products... from www.loveurhouse.co.uk
Palm Bag & Purse
This expertly made lontar palm bag banded in three colours plus small red lontar palm purse will brighten up a short shopping trip.
Bag has zip fastening with lining and two open pockets inside, along with sturdy leather carrying handles. Purse with zip fastening.
From Arum Dalu, providing access to fair trade markets for Indonesian craft groups. Made in Indonesia by Arum Dalu.
- Bag L54 x H33 x W10cm
- Purse L10 x H8.5cm
Price: £17.60 from www.traidcraftshop.co.uk
Fair trade carved Djembe drum
A beautiful fair trade, hand carved teak Djembe Drum with real skin. Each drum is individually made and carved, therefore each one is unique and produces a slightly different sound. Would make an original and interesting present.
These fair trade drums are hand made by skilled craftsmen in Bali using a local hard wood and then polished to give a lovely finish.
40cm: £25.00
25cm: £14.00
Teak fair trade Djembe Drum with real skins available as a small and medium size. Individually painted with various patterns and animal motifs. The small drum is ideal for small children, who will have lots of fun beating the drum with their hands or anything else they care to use!
Medium: £13.20
Small: £10.26
Skittles - Minibeasts
6 beautiful skittles painted with minibeasts and 3 balls all made from rubberwood included in wooden box.
Dimensions: 20cm
Recommended age - 3 years +
Country of Origin - Sri Lanka
Price: £21.00 from www.firstbuddies.com
Wedded Bliss
'Tabitha' is pictured here in full ivory hemp/silk and with leafy green contrast. She has the advantage of both an empire bodice and close-fitting, princess-seams for slimming effect.
The dresses are made with eco-friendly hemp/silk with contrast in hemp/silk/organic cotton blends. The lining is 100% pure unbleached organic cotton sateen.
Price: £579
From www.consciouselegance.com
Chocolate Bars from Divine
This Fairtrade chocolate made with the best quality beans from the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative in Ghana.
Ingredients:
Fairtrade Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Fairtrade Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin (not GM), Real Vanilla. Cocoa Solids minimum 70%. Fairtrade ingredients 70%.
May contain traces of nuts, wheat and milk.
The flavours:
Milk Chocolate Bar
Dark Chocolate Bar
Coffee Milk Chocolate Bar
Dark Chocolate Bar with Mint Crisps
Orange Milk Chocolate Bar
White Chocolate Bar
Dark Chocolate Bar with Fruit and Nut
Price: £1.48 from www.simplyfair.co.uk
A Case from Argentina
Malbec (6 bottles)
Price: £40.80
Product Description -
Traditionally quite a heavy wine this is warming and spicy with full ripe fruit flavours throughout.
- 6 bottles
- Price includes delivery
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Fair Trade Wine
Founded in 1940, La Riojana Cooperativa Vitivinifrutícola de La Rioja Limitada is located in Chilecito in the valley located between the Nevado del Famatina and the Macizo del Velazco in Argentina.
For UK Delivery Only
Organic Torrontes (12 bottles)
Price: £75.00
Product Description -
A real up-and-coming grape, with a lovely floral taste rounded off perfectly with pears and melons. Certified organic by Argencert, Argentina.
- 12 bottles
- Price includes delivery
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Producer: La Riojana Winery
From www.fairgift.co.uk
Write in Style
This stylish journal is bound in leather. Perfect for travelling, sketching and just holding memories, the leather enhances with time.
The paper inside is handmade from cotton and has a smooth luxurious finish, suitable for all pen types, painting, pastels and drawing. Gift wrapped in a handmade box, made with recycled cotton.
Size & Price:
A5: £29.95
A6: £24.95
Mini: £19.95
Colour: Brown
From www.nkuku.com
Motika
This sophisticated evening sandal is on a light tan / natural leather upper and has a leather sole with a tiny non slip heel.
Under the jewel decoration it is covered in soft suede making it truly comfortable.
No more nights of having to sacrifice style for comfort in high heels with these gorgeous flat sandals. Glamour at its best.
Price: £56.00 from www.aspiga.com
Camera purse
This handmade camera bag created from recycled materials is the perfect way to carry today’s hottest digital camera. A funky alternative to the norm.
+Handmade
+Recycled materials
+Detachable wristlet
+Zip fastening
Patiently handmade by craftsmen. Folding, weaving, and sewing can taking up to 4 days to complete.
Length 15cm x Width 9cm x Depth 3cm.
Price: £29 from http://www.adili.com
Jepara Chair
This contemporary chair design features banana fibre woven onto a sturdy wooden frame. Five feather-filled cushions complete the design, literally supporting and hugging you in whatever position you adopt. The rich colours of the weaving material are beautifully offset by the paler fabrics of the cushions, making a pleasing addition to any living space.
Prices (including VAT):
- Chair: £625.00
- Footstool: £145.00
- Table: £145.00
- Single Set (1 chair, 1 footstool, 1 table): £900.00
- Double Set (2 chairs, 1 stool, 1 table): £1,425.00
- Double Set (2 chairs, 2 stools, 1 table): £1,525.00
- Middle chair: £450.00
- Octagonal coffee table: £250.00
- Three piece set: £1,600.00
Colours: White or Celearic from www.fairtradefurniture.co.uk
Enamelled Salad Splendour
This vibrant fair trade enamelled salad bowl has been beautifully crafted by Indian artisans, from a base of recycled aluminium finished with enamel in bright colours. Perfect for dinner parties and dining al fresco.
Dimensions: 13cm height x 28cm diameter.
Colours: Red or Turquoise
Salad Bowl: £34.95
Salad Servers: £13.95 from www.ethicalsuperstore.com
Made In...
These cushions have been made from organic hemp cotton canvas. The design begs the question, 'where was this made?' and encourages us to think about the origins of our products.
Size: 40cm x 40cm
Filler: Organic Wool Balls
Price: £ 45.00 from www.piecesofyou.co.uk
Gorgeous top for this summer!
This short sleeve kimono style top has a gentle fit under the bust and sash to tie at the back. Generous shape for comfort and style.
Garment Length: 80cm
Made of: Satin Polyester
Sizes ~ Free Size
Colours: Turquoise, Green, Brown and Black
Price: £19.90 (inc. VAT) from www.nomadsclothing.com
Fancy ring from Akaliko
Alluring Patra Ring
Amethyst semi presious purple gem stone, an eyecatching creation with flawless diamond cut stones that reflect light, this ring is the most beautiful of creations and encompasses the beauty of nature and life itself. Amethyst is the stone of dreams, soothing to the mind, great for positive, clear thinking. Available in Blue Topaz, Amethyst and Peridot. Visit the gemstone guide for more about the amazing properties of these semi precious gemstones.
Approx 3cm length, 2.5cm width, and sits beautifully on the finger.
Blue Topaz Sizes M, O
Amethyst Size N
Peridot Size O
£27 (+ postage of £4.99) from www.akaliko.co.uk
Organic cotton Baby Hooded Towel
Makes a Change’s oh-so-soft organic cotton hooded baby towel is a delight. So soft and cuddly, it is perfect for wrapping your tiny newborn up tight to stop those post-bath chills in their tracks, yet it’s big enough to let you snuggle up with your wet little angel for months and months! A real winner.
Our organic cotton baby towel is unbleached and dye-free, too. The rich colour of the organic fabric is the cotton’s natural colour! So no unnecessary chemicals are used in its production, and none are left on the baby towel.
Price: £14.99 from www.makesachange.co.uk
Get rid of those bugs!
A gorgeous handmade cushion with an important message! Each cushion is carefully made by a small women's co-operative in South Africa for Biome Lifestyle.
Size 30 x 30
£15.50 from www.biomelifestyle.com
Summer is only a few weeks away!
What better way to lie back, relax and enjoy the warm weather - read the Sunday papers, escape from the kids or just daydream.
These fab hammocks are the perfect answer.
Available from www.swallowtailhill.com
Affordable Embroidery from The Little Feet Company
A perfect present for a new born baby, these hand embroidered bags from Vietnam are sure to become a family favourite.
Starting at only £9.99, a perfect price too!
Check out the range at www.thelittlefeetcompany.co.uk
Cupcake Apron from Tearcraft
The ideal gift for those that enjoy home baking but need to be protected from the mess.
Cream cotton with pink binding and ties. £10
Bugz Galore!
What better (cost effective) way to brighten up a rainy day than with some of these whimsical bugz on your window or mirror?
The Bugz Workshop started in South Africa as a project to help the residents of an informal settlement in the Cape. It provides the workers with a decent wage, comfortable and safe working conditions and the dignity that comes from being part of a successful and productive team.
The Bugz make beautiful gifts, wedding favours or simply an easy way to brighten up your day.
Check out their complete range at www.bugzshop.co.uk - prices start at only £3.99.
