Which is more important: organic or Fairtrade?

You’ve seen this word everywhere, particularly everytime you go to your local supermarket and see it plastered all over your carrots, milk and apples. But do you really know what it means?

There are lots of articles for what benefits organic brings to food, with many people arguing that there are no measurable health benefits to eating organic food, when compared to non-organic alternatives.

But the main difference is that organic products are produced without chemicals that can damage the environment. This is particularly important for clothing, since cotton is the dirtiest crop in the world. Organic clothing protects the environment, and the prevents people and animals for being exposed to noxious chemicals if they’re involved in, or near, the crop.

Fairtrade on the other hand, focuses on the people that are involved in the growing of the raw materials. In the example of clothing, Fairtrade focuses on the working conditions and living standards of the people who are involved in growing the cotton.

By ensuring that fairer wages are paid, that workers are not exploited, or forced to work inhumane hours, or against their will, Fairtrade is able to protect some of the most vulnerable people in the supply chain.