Artisan Profile

The Green Pavilion has aimed to provide kinder gifts..... kinder for you to use and kinder for our planet. Also the kind you like to give and receive!
We have sourced premium, earth friendly products. Some are Australian and others are from overseas. Some are organic, others are certified organic, some are recycled, others are ethical or fair trade. Many are hand made and unique. All have something to recommend them.
Some of us buy products because we value and recognize organic, recycled and fair trade ideals and benefits..... of which there are many..... but it is our hope that many will purchase our gifts simply because they like them.
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Fair and ethical trade: what is it and why bother?


I believe most people value the same things. Women all over our planet want food, shelter, employment and education for their children. Everybody wants and needs to be validated. Paid employment with good working conditions, a fair wage and perhaps even some health care is being valued. Having a job and a wage solves myriad problems.

Currently millions of people around the world endure inadequate, sometimes shocking, conditions at work. Children as well. Yes. Think about this and envision a world where all workers are free from exploitation. It’s the beginning of a wonderful peace plan………….

I truly believe that ethical commerce can help people and the planet. By caring about the people who make our food, clothe our bodies and decorate our homes we can build meaningful connections around the world. Shifting our consumer spending to support ethical and fair trade will make a difference to producers all over the world and influence the marketplace. Every business and government is listening to what consumers say and we (yes, you and me!) are shoppers………… and whether you know it or not, you are voting with your dollars. Every purchasing decision you make has repercussions…….large or small, good or bad. Sorry. No free rides on this planet.

“Ethical trade” is an umbrella term for all types of business practices that promote more socially and/or environmentally responsible trade. Ethical trade means that retailers, brands and their suppliers take responsibility for improving the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell. Many workers in varying fields are employed by global companies and many of them are based in developing countries where laws designed to protect workers’ rights are inadequate or not enforced. Companies with a commitment to ethical trade adopt a code of labour practice that they expect all their suppliers to work towards. Such codes address issues like wages, hours of work, health and safety and the right to join free trade unions. ‘Doing’ ethical trade is much harder than it sounds. Modern supply chains are vast, complex and span the globe.

“Fair trade” is an organized social movement and market based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar and chocolate. The variety of fair trade products is increasing along with increased awareness of fair trade principles.

The Fair Trade movement provides market access to otherwise marginalized producers, connecting them to customers and allowing access with fewer middlemen. (That sounds good to me!). It aims to provide higher wages than typically paid to producers as well as helping producers develop knowledge, skills and resources to improve their lives. Fair trade advocates also seek to raise awareness of the movement’s philosophies among consumers in developed nations. That’s exactly what I am endeavouring to do here! Fair trade products are traded and marketed by “product certification” whereby products complying with specifications are produced, traded, processed and packaged in accordance with the standards.

What I want you to do: I don’t want you to buy more products or spent more money BUT at the very least you should be sourcing and puchasing ethical or fair trade tea, coffee and sugar. It’s easy. Even your local supermarkets have these products on their shelves now. Ok so they’re not in prime positions but they are there! Many supermarkets also have fairtrade chocolate. God, even cadbury’s is on the bandwagon now. Just try a little brand substitution when you are doing your regular trolley push. If you are not into reading labels ( I am ) look out for the Fairtrade certification marks.

What else? Inform yourself. Spread the word. Seek out fair and ethically traded goods when you want/need something. Spread the word. It’s a good idea. It’s the beginning of a wonderful peace plan………….

Location

Australian online store.

Shop Policies

We usually despatch the same day. Deliveries are by Australia Post or for Sydney by courier. Please ensure someone is available to take delivery. We take all care but no responsibility. Parcels will be left at the address you nominate. We will deliver to your place of work.
After dispatch The Green Pavilion will not provide a refund or exchange because you change your mind. We will ensure the goods are undamaged and properly packed when they leave us but occasionally goods are damaged in transit. As a service to you we will take responsibility for goods damaged in transit and provide an exchange. If your products arrive faulty or damaged you must notify us within 48 hours of receipt of the goods.
Occasionally we may need to substitute products. The product will be of equal or greater value.
The Green Pavilion will present your gifts beautifully but endeavours to minimise waste. If presentation is not of importance to you or the purchase is for yourself please advise in the comments box during checkout and we will use a "pre-loved" carton. Otherwise new boxes will be used. We use E Bubble 80% recycled bubble wrap, new cartons with recycled content, green pack biodegradable void fill and shredded 'The Green Pavilion' office paper to keep your gifts safe. Our invoices, packing slips etc are 100% sugarcane paper. White, smooth 80gsm paper that is made from discarded sugarcane pulp. Our gift tags and business cards are made from recycled white board stock from paper mill waste and post consumer waste. Any new fibres are Forest Stewardship certified. The printing is done with water based inks. The process is classified as carbon neutral. The mill has ISO14001 Environmental Management System and has their own waste water treatment plant.