I finally chose fair trade materials despite the cost

My latest design needed a specific type of cotton. I found a supplier with perfect fabric at half the price, but their factory conditions were awful. I said no and paid triple for certified fair trade stuff. My profit is smaller, but I feel right about it. That's my small win this month.

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3 Comments

gavinmurray6mo ago

My cousin runs a small textile shop in Portland and he lectures me about supply chains every Thanksgiving. I once bought a bunch of cheap linen for a home project and felt guilty for weeks, like I'd kicked a puppy. Your post is a good nudge because my usual moral stance crumbles when I see a discount. I admire the follow-through, even if my own record is mostly buying the wrong thing and then feeling bad about it. That's a proper win, not just for your design but for your conscience. I should probably be better about this stuff.

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grace_adams6mo ago

Okay but when you say your moral stance crumbles at discounts, I mean, that's just being realistic. Not everyone can afford to always pick the ethical option, and saving money on stuff lets you put cash towards other things. Feeling bad for every cheap buy seems like a pretty rough way to shop.

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lilyanderson6mo ago

Portland's Saturday Market last year changed my whole view. I used to grab the cheapest supplies too, but now I just budget for fair trade first.

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