10 Things (Post #9): Buy fair-trade products

This is my ninth post in a series about ten easy things you can do to be more environmentally friendly inspired by the book Change the World for Ten Bucks and N.E.E.T. Magazine. Read more about the rest of the list here.

Fair-trade practices aim to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions with developed countries while promoting sustainability as well as social and environmental standards. Most fair trade products are arts and crafts or edibles like coffee, tea and fruit.

Fair-trade is one of those buzz words right now that a lot of people are using, without actually meeting any specifically set guide lines, so it's good to do a little research into a product or company to be sure they meet the standards you are after before spending the extra money to purchase a fair-trade product.

Here's some interesting and unique fair-trade items I found on Etsy:

1. Small Mahogany Ladle from Slightly Twisted Wood
2. Amate Top from Zelaya
3. 5 Tea Collection from Wild Root
4. Silkscreened Scarf from Toy Breaker
5. Tagua Nut Ring from Muichic Turquoise
6. African Shea Butter from Simple Organic Beauty
7. Paper Bead Necklace from Maid 2 Crochet
8. Coffee Sampler Set from Downtown Roasters
9. Fizzing Bath Melts from Mmmm Handmade Soap
10. Southeast Asian Spice Kit from Purpose Design
11. Handspun Yarn from Recycled Silk Yarn
12. Lavender Soap from Elephant Soap

Next post in this series: Write to someone who inspires you.