Cotton

Helping to save the environment as well

When cotton became available under Fairtrade terms, we wondered how, as a grocery retailer, we could extend our Fairtrade commitment to cotton growers. The answer came in a flash of inspiration: we brought together our Fairtrade and environmental agendas to launch the UK’s very first Fairtrade cotton supermarket shopping bag. What better way of cutting down on plastic bags, and helping social development at the same time?

The Fairtrade bag for a better life

Finding a supplier that supported our ethics took time but Supreme Creations, who owned a modest factory in Pondicherry, India rose to the challenge. Our partnership with Supreme Creations has made the cotton bag become one of the biggest success stories in the Co-operative’s history of Fairtrade support.

Working closely together from sourcing sufficient cotton, to securing Fairtrade approval of the factory and the supply chain- in February 2006 the first Fairtrade supermarket cotton bag was launched in the UK.

The success of the cotton bag has been phenomenal and Supreme Creations has expanded their capacity to meet growing customer demands. Over 2000 jobs have been created and as the average employee earns 33% more than the minimum wage this had a positive effect on the local community. Since 2006, over £500,000 has been returned in Fairtrade premiums allowing for better education and clean water.

It doesn’t stop there, for every bag sold a proceed is made to the children’s charity ‘The Wings of Hope’ and so far a donation of well over £100,000 has been raised. This is being used to fund education for the orphaned children of Malawi and India in Wings of Hope supported schools.

This really is the ‘bag for a better life’ and you can be a part of it today. Visit your nearest Co-operative Food store and help us continue to support the Fairtrade movement.