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ORGANIC & FAIRTRADE
ESPONA
A better deal for farmers and their families
Epona are a leading supplier of Fairtrade blue and berry.
promotional clothing and since 2005 their whole All garments are made using 100%
range has been made using Fairtrade certified Fairtrade cotton produced in India
cotton. and certified by the Fairtrade
The company have recently updated their core Foundation. Last year Epona bought
range of hoodies and T shirts to include shoelace all their cotton upfront, helping more
style draw cords and a chunky 2x2 rib for the than 3000 farmers and their families
waistband and cuffs on the hoodies, capped to get a better deal. Stringent audits
sleeves on the women’s T shirts, a longer length are carried out annually by the
on the women’s hoody and a slimmer fit for the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation to
men’s garments. ensure ethical working practices
T shirts and hoodies come in 13 colours, with throughout the supply chain.
men’s and women’s polos available in black
and navy.
A bespoke service and a loungewear range is For more information call 0207 095
also available on forward order. Two great new 1226 or visit
colours have been introduced for August – diesel www.eponaclothing.com
EVERYTHING ENVIRONMENTAL
Hit, myth or maybe?
Evan Lewis, director, They are no longer more expensive – in
Everything fact, around 90 per cent of products are
Environmental, reckons around the same price as the
some people can be a mainstream version. Recycled pencils
bit green when it printed in one colour are priced from 9p
comes to upwards, while pens start at less than
environmentally friendly 10p, printed.
give-aways. He The idea that all you can buy are writing
explodes some long- pads made from recycled paper, pens
held myths about the from recycled plastic and pencils, is one
promotional that’s out of date.
merchandise market’s Stylish, modern clocks (some of which
green products are water powered), caps made from
recycled bottles and cotton and even
According to some, they are “more expensive, golf accessories created with recycled
lower quality and limited in range compared with materials, are some of the latest
the traditional alternative”. You’d like to buy them products available.
but you cannot at the moment. You have The environmental products sector
to wait until the cost difference has of the promotional merchandise
gone and the quality is as market now offers quality and
good… design at competitive pricing.
Is that your view of Turn around times of orders are
environmentally also much shorter.
friendly We already offer a three and
products? Is five day service and will
this the soon launch a next day
reason why dispatch offer on many of our efficient than tried and tested techniques which
you are not more popular items. Companies like ours can now have been improved over years of production.
taking up the also hold greater quantities of stock in the UK to However without that development in the first
green option ensure fast turn rounds and repeat orders. place, better techniques cannot be developed and
when buying promotional merchandise? Regardless, we still see, sadly, that the out-of-date savings for the environment created.
If so, there are many like you – potential buyers reputation is prevalent. Many people also Fortunately, many major organisations, particularly
who have these misconceptions about such think that making recycled products public sector, keen to demonstrate their
products. (most obviously paper) is worse commitment to corporate social responsibility, are
It is a widespread state of mind that is for the environment than insisting that staff put environmental criteria in
limiting the use of green alternative producing the virgin tender documents and briefs. This is where and
products even by those who want to buy alternatives. how they are discovering that the price and quality
them. And it is, I’m pleased to say, no longer Frankly, this is gap has closed significantly.
true. Prices have dropped, quality has nowadays a myth as The only way this is otherwise going to change is
improved and the range is no longer limited. we have new and if companies ask again for a quotation for the
We have more than 150 items in our standard improved manufacturing green alternative whenever they are planning
range from clothing and electronics, to bags and techniques. That said, promotional and below the line campaigns.
outdoor fun items. We also include the regulars – developing techniques for So, check your preconceptions and ask again.
writing instruments, lanyards and desktop manufacturing of new items (or old
accessories to mention just a few. items in new ways) is often less www.everything-environmental.co.uk
| 58 | July 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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