Why Shop Fair Trade
People are talking about fair trade products — and for very good reasons. Now more than ever, smart shoppers want to see a commitment to ethical practices, sustainable production, and fair wages. When it comes to home decor, fair trade products can make a massive difference, both in our homes and in the lives of the artisans behind each item. For anyone curious about fair trade home decor, we’ve gathered up a few reasons why you should consider shopping for fair trade products and what to look for online.
What is fair trade?
If you’ve ever searched for a fair trade meaning or fair trade definition, allow us to set the record straight. Fair trade is a partnership that promotes equity in international trade. Fair trade organizations work directly with artisans and communities, cutting out middlemen to ensure the profit from fair trade products goes directly to the people who make them. In exchange, producers abide by a range of sustainable business practices, from fair wages to environmentally friendly practices.
What makes fair trade home decor different?
Whether you’re shopping for fair trade rugs, furniture, or any other decor, the main difference is quality. Fair trade home decor is made with a greater attention to detail, often crafted in small batches or using age-old techniques that you won’t find behind your average barcode. As a result, fair trade products are not only beautiful and durable, but every piece connects you with the artisans and communities who made them.
Here’s what you can look for when shopping online:
1. Certifications: Fair trade products will be certified by reputable organizations, such as Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade International, or the World Fair Trade Organization. These certifications ensure that fair trade products meet strict social, environmental, and economic standards.
2. Transparency: Look for information about the artisans and communities behind each product.
3. Reviews & Ratings: Testimonials from other customers can help you get an idea of the quality and authenticity behind the fair trade products that you’re looking at.
4. Price: Fair trade home decor may be slightly more expensive than mass-produced items, but the price should reflect the fair wages and sustainable practices behind their production. Think of it as an investment in your space and a more ethical world.
5. Impact: Seek out merchants who can demonstrate the impact they’re making with every purchase, supporting artisans and communities with fair trade products that preserve their way of life.
Why is fair trade important?
An object is only as beautiful as the environment in which it is made. Fair trade home decor and products prove that business can be a force for good in the world, setting new standards for social responsibility and ethical craftsmanship. Fair trade home decor connects makers and homemakers across the world, sharing the beauty of traditions and filling spaces with designs that have a soul, a story, and a purpose.
How does The Citizenry support fair trade practices?
The Citizenry is the largest home retailer in the United States to have 100% of our products made with a fair trade process. Each of our workshops is regularly audited and our products guaranteed by the World Fair Trade Organization. Our artisans receive over 2x the fair trade wage requirement for the goods they create, all made start-to-finish with sustainable practices.
