The annual festival of chocolate over-indulgence known as Easter raises more serious issues than pimples and weight gain for the ethical shopper. The cocoa trade is notoriously bedevilled by child labour, slavery and other workers’ rights issues. Palm oil, which can be used in confectionery listed merely as […]
For many of us, the social acceptability of wearing fur seems like a memory of a less enlightened time. Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein are now proudly fur-free. Charlize Theron and rock star Bryan Adams are among the public figures who’ve gone on record as opposed […]
Emerging Asian and European designers are ‘cutting the waste out of fashion’ with support from a prestigious sustainable fashion design competition. The EcoChic Design Award, now in its fifth year, highlights and supports up-and-coming new designers working in Asian and European markets toward reducing textile waste. China alone […]
The potential for recycling won’t on its own make fashion sustainable. Putting months-old purchases in a charity or recycling bin won’t undo the waste of resources or make up for any human or environmental cost involved in their manufacture. That said, buying recycled is a great way to […]
Plastic is used for everything from building materials through drinking bottles to medical disposables. PVC (recycling type 3 plastic) has been used in pipes and cables, food wrapping and retail packaging, credit cards and car upholstery. In fashion it’s created imitation leathers and shiny waterproof fabrics for everything […]
The last two decades have seen rapid progress in relation to animal testing on consumer products and ingredients. Most consumers are more aware of its unreliability and increasing irrelevance, and know what suffering it causes. Alternative testing methods are being developed and adopted and customers are demanding cruelty-free […]