how ethical is boden?

[mimimimi]

they obviously don't have any organic cotton and fairtrade stuff, but was recently really wondering about them after having read the news about monsoon...

They're definitely not green judging by the 6000 trees they fell each year just for my catalogues alone!

Was just about to say the same thing. Think how much they could reduce their prices if they just sent out one catalogue each season. What's the news about Monsoon?

Not sure how green or ethical they are as a company, but their children's clothes are really hard wearing and can be used for several seasons and for several children, which is green in a way. I got a Boden t-shirt from ebay for DS that looked brand new despite 2 years of wear, and I sell my DC's stuff on ebay in turn, usually after they've worn it for 2 or even 3 years (for good prices too, as people know they're good quality). Compare that to a cheap t-shirt which has holes after 1 summer and will get thrown away, and the Boden t-shirt is the greener option.

true, with t-shirts and such, their quality is good. their woolen stuff is not so great, i think. i'm just concerned about child labour, etc. apparentluy, that is really hard to monitor and if a company doesn't make the effort, it is more than likely there might be problems.

child labour is terrable but please bear in mind even item MadeIn britain are made by people slogging away in factories all day.I know i worked in a high end knitwear factory for 10 years whn i left school and they weren`t exactly cupcakes and bunting

terrible eve n

"monsoonwww.newsoftheworld.co.uk/notw/public/home/1151477/High-street-fashion-giant-is-using-kids-and-paying-peanuts-in-its-Third-World-factories.html"

Funnily enough I just noticed this on the back of the catalogue today: "Our paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources that provide for th current and future needs of humans and other non-Boden wearing animals ww.pefc.org"
Also got a top made in Macau. No idea about their working practices, but would also be interested to know.

what would be a good online place to shop ethically, anyway?
i liked ascensiononline, but i think they have gone bust, there is no autumn/winter stuff on the website....