The reality is there are so many great things happening and by supporting those things you can make a huge difference, that not only helps the environment but makes you feel great too.
As most of you are consumers, actually I am sure all of you are, it is important to realise the great power you have. It is what you choose to buy or perhaps even more importantly what you choose not not to buy that will help drive change. For example: if you continue to purchase battery produced eggs, there is still a market, so they will continue to battery farm (until government legislation stops it). However, if you stop now and make a conscious effort to buy free range, the battery egg market will dry up.
Global brands
I found this opinion piece by Joe Bennett in our local newspaper titled "The irresistible allure of the global brand, apotheosis of capitalism". It's not very long and is well worth a read. I thought it nicely summarised the allure of global brands but clearly showed the folly of it.
I found this opinion piece by Joe Bennett in our local newspaper titled "The irresistible allure of the global brand, apotheosis of capitalism". It's not very long and is well worth a read. I thought it nicely summarised the allure of global brands but clearly showed the folly of it.
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School of Veterinary Nursing Uniforms
Part of the reason I chose consumer power for this weeks blog post, is that we have been quite rightly challenged by a student regarding our sourcing of our uniforms that we require our students to buy. The point raised was - "all this sustainability stuff is all good, but then you go and source uniforms from China". I totally see the students point. In fact the week before I had already brought this up with my Head of School. It is important to remember we are still in the change phase but we are in discussions with how to bring the design and manufacture of the uniforms to a New Zealand home, made with sustainably sourced fabrics. This is a work in progress and will not happen overnight. We would welcome comments from our readers on this subject:
1. What would you expect from a sustainable uniform?
2. How much extra would you be prepared to pay?
3. As sustainably sourced fabrics that are themselves sustainable, they last a lot longer and we would want to ensure that they got used for their full lives and then recycled back into new clothing. Would you support a lease model for clothing where you pay a fee + refundable deposit, so it can be used by future students or do you prefer to keep the item?
4. If you prefer to keep the uniform and use if once your studies are completed - how could we design it so the uniform was something you are more likely to keep wearing.
Any other comments are welcome!
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Your own wardrobe
And that leads me to our clothing in general. Have a look at your wardrobe - where do you purchase from? What is the supply chain of your clothes - do you know? I know I looked at mine and have decided I am going to now make a conscious effort to make less purchases, but purchase items that will last, so the added cost is mitigated. It should also reduce the space needed in my wardrobe. I have recently read articles about the toxins used in clothes production too or the toxins used in producing the raw materials, e.g. cotton and that sends alarm bells too when you look at the increasing rates of cancer in the modern world.
This link from treehugger listing the details of 10 sustainable designers in New Zealand. it gives a good starting point for thinking about sustainable purchases you can make in New Zealand around your wardrobe.
School of Veterinary Nursing Uniforms
Part of the reason I chose consumer power for this weeks blog post, is that we have been quite rightly challenged by a student regarding our sourcing of our uniforms that we require our students to buy. The point raised was - "all this sustainability stuff is all good, but then you go and source uniforms from China". I totally see the students point. In fact the week before I had already brought this up with my Head of School. It is important to remember we are still in the change phase but we are in discussions with how to bring the design and manufacture of the uniforms to a New Zealand home, made with sustainably sourced fabrics. This is a work in progress and will not happen overnight. We would welcome comments from our readers on this subject:
1. What would you expect from a sustainable uniform?
2. How much extra would you be prepared to pay?
3. As sustainably sourced fabrics that are themselves sustainable, they last a lot longer and we would want to ensure that they got used for their full lives and then recycled back into new clothing. Would you support a lease model for clothing where you pay a fee + refundable deposit, so it can be used by future students or do you prefer to keep the item?
4. If you prefer to keep the uniform and use if once your studies are completed - how could we design it so the uniform was something you are more likely to keep wearing.
Any other comments are welcome!
_______________________________________________________________________
Your own wardrobe
And that leads me to our clothing in general. Have a look at your wardrobe - where do you purchase from? What is the supply chain of your clothes - do you know? I know I looked at mine and have decided I am going to now make a conscious effort to make less purchases, but purchase items that will last, so the added cost is mitigated. It should also reduce the space needed in my wardrobe. I have recently read articles about the toxins used in clothes production too or the toxins used in producing the raw materials, e.g. cotton and that sends alarm bells too when you look at the increasing rates of cancer in the modern world.
This link from treehugger listing the details of 10 sustainable designers in New Zealand. it gives a good starting point for thinking about sustainable purchases you can make in New Zealand around your wardrobe.
________________________________________________________________________
A consumer challenge!
This week I issue a challenge for the week to make conscious decisions about your purchasing, not just clothes and eggs, but anything you plan to purchase this week.
1. For everything you go to purchase this week -firstly ask "do I actually need this?"
If the answer is YES
2. Does the product have good credentials in terms of cyclic production? Social and ethical production? Local production? If the answer is no to any of these, is there an alternative that you could choose that does meet these criteria?
Have a great week. I look forward to your comments this week on this subject of consumer power and perhaps the pressure we feel as consumers. I would also like to hear about the choices you made this week - it will provide inspiration for all of us.
Kind Regards
Francesca
A consumer challenge!
This week I issue a challenge for the week to make conscious decisions about your purchasing, not just clothes and eggs, but anything you plan to purchase this week.
1. For everything you go to purchase this week -firstly ask "do I actually need this?"
If the answer is YES
2. Does the product have good credentials in terms of cyclic production? Social and ethical production? Local production? If the answer is no to any of these, is there an alternative that you could choose that does meet these criteria?
Have a great week. I look forward to your comments this week on this subject of consumer power and perhaps the pressure we feel as consumers. I would also like to hear about the choices you made this week - it will provide inspiration for all of us.
Kind Regards
Francesca
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