What is Ethical Shopping?

Ethical, in its truest sense, means without harm to or exploitation of humans, animals and the environment.¹
Ethical shopping is buying products that are made ethically by companies that act ethically. This might mean purchasing Fairtrade tea and coffee, organic fruit and vegetables, or cosmetics not tested on animals. By choosing a product based on its ethical origins, and buying only what you need, you can make a substantial difference.

What are the benefits of ethical shopping?

You help the environment

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Australia's food shopping habits have a significant impact on land disturbance, energy and water use.
For instance:

For every dollar we spend, about 1.6 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is produced somewhere along the line.

Australia has the highest rate of land clearing in the developed world, and most of it occurs in food production. The ACF states that land clearing is the biggest threat to biodiversity, is the major cause of dryland salinity, and the third biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia is one of the highest producers of waste per head of population in the world, with each Perth resident creating more than 1.4 tonnes of rubbish a year.²

Organic farming is far better for the environment than conventional farming because farmers use labour intensive practices such as hand-weeding and green manure, and covering crops in place of chemicals.³

You help people out of poverty

Most of the tea, coffee and cocoa products sold in Australia are produced by poor farmers in developing countries who aren't paid a fair price for their work. Less than 15 cents out of every dollar you pay for tea in the supermarket is given to those who worked to farm the tea⁴. Prices paid to coffee farmers can be as little as 3 cents from a $3 cup of coffee.⁵

As stated by Oxfam Australia, Fairtrade is an independently audited certification and labeling system which ensures farmers get a fair price for their work and helps them gain skills and knowledge to develop their businesses effectively in the global economy.
For example, every dollar you pay for Fairtrade tea provides at least 60 cents to the country of origin - which means more money for the growers and their communities, and more money for developing local value-added industry.⁶

You support local industry

When you buy products made by local producers, and shop at local, independent grocers you support small business and help create jobs.

According to Ausbuy, if every Australian redirected just $50 per week from foreign owned and made products to Australian owned and made we would save at least $20 billion a year on our current account deficit and create at least 500,000 new full time jobs.

You help the environment when you buy local too.
Local food travels a short distance to reach you, saving thousands of kilometres worth of fuel and carbon emissions.

Your money goes to good companies

Spending your dollars on products made ethically helps the manufacturer continue its good practices and ensures the product's availability. For example, buying environmentally-friendly dishwashing liquid means you are giving the ethical company the money it needs to invest in clean technology and advertise its products to a wider market.⁷

The money you give to an ethical company will result in a loss of profit for its unethical competitor. Hitting the manufacturer where it hurts the most - the hip pocket - may encourage it to change its practices.

You live a healthier lifestyle

As defined by Greenpeace Australia, genetic engineering (GE) allows scientists to move genes between different species. Using laboratory techniques scientists can create life-forms that could not occur in nature.⁸

For example, genes are taken from bacteria, viruses, plants and animals and inserted into soybeans, canola, corn and cotton to grow experimental crops known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These are then processed into foods and sold all over the world.⁹

Genetic engineering is highly unpredictable and risks include irreversible contamination of conventional crops, dependence on pesticides as well as unknown health risks.

By purchasing certified organic or GE / GMO free food, you send a message that more research is needed on the risks of genetic engineering. Reclaim your right to eat true food.¹⁰

You live a cruelty-free lifestyle

Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and the World Society for the Protection of Animals are opposed to practices such as caged and crated pig farming and battery hens. Alternative methods, including free range and organic farming are more animal-friendly.

As argued by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, making cruelty-free choices when you shop creates a demand for animal friendly products, providing an incentive for producers to adopt humane farming practices.

In addition, many cosmetic and personal product companies do not believe in animal testing, and have been certified with independent Australian organisation, Choose Cruelty Free. There are many choices available which allow you to pursue a cruelty-free lifestyle.