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VOTING WITH OUR WALLETS
Ethical Consumer explains the power of the consumer well: “Even
small, everyday purchases, such as coffee, tea, breakfast cereal,
bread or bin bags are a vote for something. Favouring organic
produce is a vote for environmental sustainability and fairtrade is a
vote for human rights." It highlights a report by the Co-Op that says
that consumer spending on ethical goods and services has grown
almost three-fold in the past 10 years.
The Manchester-based bank’s latest Ethical Consumerism Report
says the UK market was worth an estimated £36bn in 2008
compared to £13.5bn in 1999.
In comparison, overall consumer spending rose by 58% during the
same period.
Sales of Fairtrade products increased 30-fold in the same period,
growing from £22m in 1999 to £635m in 2009. The bank expects
spending on Fairtrade goods to break through the £1bn barrier in
2010.
THE RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
There are other ‘ethical’ labels, such as the US based conservation
charity Rainforest Alliance – certified farms, estates and plantations,
where working and social conditions are improved with the extra
money paid for more sustainable tea and coffee production.
Although foods can be both Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance
certified, in practice it tends to be either one or another.
The Rainforest Alliance works with farmers to ensure compliance
with the standards for protecting wildlife, wild lands, workers' rights
and local communities. Farms that meet these rigorous standards are
awarded the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.
Rainforest Alliance Certified means: Less water pollution; less soil
erosion; reduced threats to the environment and human health;
wildlife habitat is protected; less waste; less water used; more
efficient farm management; improved conditions for farm workers;
improved profitability and competitiveness for farmers; more
collaboration between farmers and conservationists. Now all beans for the entire Kenco freeze-dried coffee range and
Kraft Foods, parent company of The Kenco Coffee Company, is for the roast and ground range of Kenco Westminster Medium Roast,
continually working to reduce the environmental impact of its Kenco Sustainable Development Medium Dark Roast and Kenco Italia
activities, preventing pollution and promoting the sustainability of Dark Roast are sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
the natural resources upon which it depends, while providing high
quality products that meet the needs of its consumers. ETHICALLY SOURCED HOT CHOCOLATE
A primary focus for the company has been on issues related to The Kenco Coffee Company was the first UK company to source
product manufacturing, such as reduction of air emissions, waste cocoa for its hot chocolate products from Rainforest Alliance
water effluent and solid wastes. At Kraft Foods’ Banbury coffee Certified™ farms. The company has worked with the Rainforest
production site, where the bulk of Kenco coffee is manufactured, Alliance to open up new supplies from certified sources in West
85% of the plant’s electrical energy requirement is generated on site Africa since 2006. The entire Suchard Away From Home portfolio
by Combined Heat and Power units (CHPs), while the company has contains cocoa sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
invested heavily in technology to remove coffee solids from the By using indirect distribution and routes to market it is also helping
waste water stream used in the production process before it returns to minimise the environmental impact of transportation. The company
to the local municipal treatment works. The site is also ISO 14001 is also is proactive in the area of paper cup recycling, being a founding
certified. member of The Paper Cup Recovery and Recycle Group, whose aim
Kraft Foods has been working in the area of coffee sustainability is to find a practical solution to the disposal of paper cups in the UK.
for over 15 years, having a series of country based projects as well as
being a contributor to the Common Code of the Coffee Community “While you go shopping for delicious Fairtrade food and drink,
project, a global initiative which seeks to define sustainability in the people in the developing world are earning a decent living, feeding
coffee sector. Since 2003, Kraft Foods has been working with the their family, putting their children through school. Fighting
Rainforest Alliance, a leading independent non-profit environment poverty.” Oxfam
organisation, and has helped advance the availability of coffee from
Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms into the mainstream. Kraft Other Vending companies such as Cafe Direct, Fairtrade Vending,
Foods’ focus on sustainable sourcing has helped to drive growth in Aimia, Mars and Lavazza all offer ethically produced goods under
the number of Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. The programme different banners. Whether it’s Fairtrade or other initiatives that aim
assures consumers that the products they are buying come from to shift the unfair balance of power so that the developing countries
farms that meet demanding standards for environmental, economic get a fair deal, it’s time to vote with our wallets and make sure that
and social improvements. what comes from our machines is ethical.
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