Where can you shop with a relatively clear conscience?

[Mamalennon]

A recent thread about the Primark scrum brought some discussion about ethical shopping i.e. where can you shop and know that others have not been exploited to produce the goods you buy? Given that consumer power can be a huge force for good I'd like to find out where it's possible to shop 'ethically' whilst still living in the real world with real kids.

Do you know I am not sure anymore.

Used to think M&S were ok, but not convinced these days.

Message withdrawn

Farm shops? Ditto Co-op and waitrose. Co-op has just stopped selling old fashioned lightbulbs too!

You could do more by shopping less, or buying used clothes etc.

Thanks for all those suggestions. What about clothes shopping on the high street? I read in a ppost by Zippitippitoes that M&S does not score particularly well on the fair-trade isuue.

m&s have just started selling fairtrade clothing now. I love cut4cloth clothing for my son. It is expensive but is incredibly well made and you can usually find places doing offers on the web. There are also quite a few independant fair trade shops springing up around the country. You could try googling to find out if there is one near you.

i think top shop have a fair trade range just started... pricey though!

Apaprently Total Petrol contribute to child slavery in the developing world (reference: Disposable People by Kevin BAles)

We watched a documentary at Uni as well on Gap, apaprently they have an ethics policy but its not enforced- that happens a lot they said (but it was a bit baised)

In many ways of course charioty shospa re best.... recycling AND the money goes to, well, charity!

look at this

Don't forget Ebay is a form of recycling too.