ethicTrade and A Rocha UK

Our educational jigsaws are made by Lanka Kade in Sri Lanka. All the products are handmade by one of seven family-based enterprises with whom Lanka Kade has long term working commitments. The aim is to provide continual employment throughout the year for each supplier, their families and their employees. A representative is employed full time in Sri Lanka to coordinate shipments, liaise with the UK on behalf of the suppliers and to arrange prompt payment for all goods. No middlemen are used and no commissions paid, thus enabling the suppliers to receive a fair and full price for their products. Regular contact is maintained with all suppliers by phone, fax, email and onsite visits throughout the year both direct from UK and weekly by the Sri Lankan co-ordinator. In return, the suppliers are expected to maintain a safe and pleasant working environment, equal opportunities, good rates of pay, prompt payment for both employees and in country suppliers, and a quality product at a fair price. Children are not involved at any stage of the production of items. Lanka Kade have been approved by BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) since 2001 as a fair trade supplier. Additionally, many of the products are made from rubberwood sourced from exhausted rubber plantations that are replanted every 10–15 years. The majority of outer packing boxes have already been used and the packing materials are either shredded paper or materials supplied by local retail outlets from their own deliveries.

Asha Handicrafts make housewares, such as this spectacles stand. They have been practicing Fair Trade since 1975, even before the concepts of Fair Trade became popular abroad. Asha in Sanskrit means 'hope' and Asha have brought hope by providing a marketing outlet to the individual craftsmen. Based in Mumbai, India, Asha is an association of voluntary businessmen dedicated to helping craftsmen, financially, ecologically and spiritually though its welfare centre and interrelated programs. The team of Asha welfare workers are stationed at different producer groups and cooperatives and move closely with them and their family sharing skills, extending medical help and education. Technical training is also provided to increase efficiency and productivity to encourage the growth and development of cottage industries.

Our stationery range is made by Paper High, who personally know the producers in India, and ensure they get a very fair price for their craftsmanship and are not exploited in any way. The Sari range is produced by a friendly family business in Rajasthan, Western India, who use no wood in the making of the paper, but instead make it from “Khadda”; unbleached, hard-spun, cotton rags left over from the massive garment industry. The beautiful covers are created from fabric cut-offs from sari manufacture.