Kmart, Target, Cotton On and Big W - protect the workers making your clothes

More than 30 companies have agreed to help improve conditions for workers in Bangladesh, but Cotton On, Kmart, Target and Big W are yet to sign on to the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord. Sign Oxfam's petition and tell these retailers that you care about the people who make your clothes! Read the full story »

YouTubing for a cause

Zac Phillips wants you to help him raise money for charity simply by watching his YouTube clips, AND he wants you to help him decide where to donate it! The Aussie YouTuber says, "I have decided to donate all the advertisement revenue that I get from my YouTube videos to a charity. Recently I got my first cheque for $159 and I'm going to match that with my own money. I know it's not much but it is infinitely more than nothing. Read the full story »

Silk - what you don't know probably won't upset you

On my various travels, in Europe and more recently, Vietnam, I've picked up a few beautiful silk scarves over the years. Yesterday by chance I happened to google how silk is made. Although I've been to a silk factory in Lyon, I never really understood the scientific process of how silkworms produce this luxurious fabric. I was... astonished, angry and saddened to learn that I can add silk to a long list of things like many household products, cosmetics, fur, cage eggs, etc that I no longer wish to buy. Read the full story »

H'mong bracelets and Fair trade

After a trip to Vietnam, guest blogger Louise Kate Anderson wondered about the do's and don'ts of ethical tourism. Should you buy that extremely cheap bracelet from the local woman with a baby on her back, or are you doing her community more harm than good? Read the full story »

How foreign is our aid?

Australia is one of the richest countries in the world, but the new federal budget has revealed the government plans to continue diverting funds from overseas aid programs to pay for domestic asylum seeker processing. Where does our money go? And why are we using "foreign aid" to lock people up? Read the full story »

The Clean Clothes Campaign

I signed the petition after a confronting photo from last months factory collapse in Bangladesh did the rounds on Facebook. I shared the picture on my profile and since then 36 of my friends have signed the petition as well. If you believe that the working conditions inside Bangladesh factories have to change, then you too can jump onto the Clean Clothes Campaign website and add your signature. Read the full story »

No sweat! Sweatshop-free shopping

If you want to ensure that you’re avoiding buying clothes made with sweatshop labour, a number of Australian companies are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and with Fairtrade. You can find lists of brands on their websites. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for, or what you need for work, then what? Second hand, or op shopping, has long been a go-to option for thrifty and ethical shopping. You’re guaranteed a bargain at your local Vinnies, Salvos or Red Cross shop, or pay a little bit more for a real gem at one of many vintage stores, where you’re effectively paying for someone else to do the treasure hunting for you. This week, however, I decided to have a crack at second hand shopping online, on old faithful Gumtree. Read the full story »

Beer and TP (toilet paper): Ideas that change the lives of millions

Shebeen is a non-profit bar that sells beers from around the world and gives 100% of profits back to your drink's country of origin. Who Gives A Crap is a brand of toilet paper that helps provide people in developing countries with toilets and better sanitation. Simon Griffiths is the brains behind both these amazing ventures! Read the full story »

The Live Below The Line Challenge: Why I am grateful for living on $2 a day

$2 does not buy much. At all. But that’s what I, along with thousands of other Australians, have been living off this last week as part of the Live Below The Line challenge. The challenge is to eat on $2 per day for 5 days, the equivalent of the extreme poverty line. An initiative of the Oaktree Foundation, the money raised goes to various education and skills programs in Cambodia and Papua New Guinea to help break the cycle of poverty. Read the full story »

Beauty without bunnies

A large number of big cosmetic brands are failing to inform customers that their products are being tested on animals in China. A recent investigation revealed that manufacturer’s websites, packaging or sales staff were often failing to inform Australian consumers that their products were being tested on animals in China, where mandatory skin and eye irritations tests are conducted on animals before products can be sold. These tests are paid for by the manufactures. Read the full story »