We all love buying
things, whether it's purchasing our weekly groceries at the
supermarket, browsing the clothes shops in town on a Saturday or
ordering new products off internet sites. Yet how many of us actually
stop to think if we really need all that food or that new top?
How many
of us think about the energy and resources that have gone into
producing that product; if the production process has caused any harm
to the environment; the amount of fuel miles it has travelled to get to
us; what the working conditions are of the people who have made it; if
the product has been fairly traded; the implications of replacement and
disposal once your purchase has come to the end of it's life; the
amount of packaging on the product or the amount of money that has gone
into advertising it?
That might all sound a bit baffling but
there are plenty of signs (literally) for you to look out for to help
you choose your shopping wisely.
At
the moment, 80% of the world's resources are consumed by 30% of the
world's population but trends show that less industrialised nations
with exploding populations desire the level of consumerism we "enjoy".
The world has limited resources and soon will not be able to supply us
with all the new resources we need.
Several places in Swansea are encouraging to make more sustainable choices in our shopping habits...
On the Trail ...
Fairtrade products are available from Oxfam and the The Green Shop at the Environment Centre.
The Environment Centre also has a small café where you can sample Fairtrade teas and coffees.
Oxfam
sells second hand books and clothes, some that have hardly been used
and occasionally the odd designer label bargain can be found. Oxfam's
global agenda is helping communities across the world.
Swansea Market - local economy, heritage and food miles.
Penclawdd and Mumbles.
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