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Find independently-owned breweries in Australia by state.

This Association is the Victorian accrediting affiliate to the National Free Range Egg and Poultry Association of Australia Inc (above). See website for accredited farms.

Certified B Corporation selling timeless bohemian clothing, sustainably-made from upcycled & vintage fabric. Carbon neutral, plastic-free delivery worldwide. Based in Sydney. Crafted by women-led micro-businesses in Vietnam.

Argan Life Australia supplies Moroccan Argan Oil that is organically certified and ethically sourced from an all-female co-operative in Morocco. Australian owned company.

Corner Store Network coffee is ethically, socially and environmentally sourced from a cooperative of subsistance farmers in Timor Leste. 100% of the profits from coffee sales goes to environmental and educational projects in Timor Leste.

The environmentally friendly toothbrush from Jillby Eco is made from natural bamboo, a fast-growing, sustainably harvested crop native to Asia. Designed in Australia by Ethical Produce Solutions, an Australian company. Made in China.

Who Gives A Crap launched their Good Time hair and body care bar in 2022. Who Gives A Crap is B-Corp certified and donates 50% of profits to support clean water initiatives.

Shop online from Green Collect's range of salvaged stationery, recycled furniture and unique range of upcycled products. Social enterprise based in Yarraville, VIC.

A reusable alternative to plastic and paper produce bags. Australian owned and made, strong, light weight, durable, machine washable, holds at least 3kg, allows air circulation, prolonging produce life, straight from the shops into the fridge, a once off purchase - designed to last, secured by tying top edges together, be completely bag free in grocery shopping.

Healthybake is an Australian family owned Company that produces a range of organic healthy breads, both wheat alternative and gluten free. Free from chemical contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides and heavy metal residues. Based in Victoria.

Australia Social Enterprise that works with over 130 domestic plot farmers in Samoa to help the indigenous cultivation of cacao. They create bean to bar chocolate, drinking cacao, cacao husk tea and a skin care range called Koko Smooth. Available online.

Designs read differently in the mirror to quite literally cause people to "Stop and Reflect". Designs spark conversation and promote positive values. $3 from every purchase is donated to development projects. Screenprinted in Brisbane with enviro friendly (water soluable) inks using 100% renewable energy. All clothing is W.R.A.P certified, and Made in Australia. 20-30% of the shirts we stock are Australian made Organic. Based in QLD.

Modimade connects consumers with Cambodian artisans that are creating ethical and fair employment.

Third generation family-owned Australian company based in Brisbane. All MyOrganics products are certified organic and available from health food stores and independent supermarkets.

Australian owned & made solid shampoo, conditioner, face wash and body bars. Vegan & cruelty-free (accreditation pending), palm oil free (certified by Orangutan Alliance), SLS-free, plastic-free packaging. 10% of profits donated to ocean cleanup organisation Tangaroa Blue.

Pablo & Rusty's is a Sydney based coffee roaster, certified B Corporation and a Certified Carbon Neutral Organisation. They also run their factory on solar, and invest in tree planting and rebuilding biodiversity hotspots.

Find local egg farmers who 'pasture' their hens. Check out the directory. These hens are raised all or most of their lives on pasture and are moved every few days to enrich the soil; they are free to dust bathe, scratch and forage, eating worms and grubs.

This certified biodynamic rice is grown in Northern NSW without irrigation. Grown and milled on the family-owned Slater Farm in Northern Rivers, NSW. Distributed by Santos Trading, Byron Bay, located less than 100km from the farm.

Independent Australian-owned pet food company. They donate 2% of their revenue and they are a certified B Corporation. Australian made with 97% of ingredients sourced locally. Sales online via subscription.

Australian-owned and made meat alternative products, particularly smallgoods. All products are 100% vegan. Based in Sydney and available from health food stores around Australia.

Swedish Stockings are the world's first producer of recycled hosiery, produced in solar-powered and zero-waste factories with OTEK, EU Reach and various other certifications. Made in Italy. Their nylon stockings contain 76-97% recycled content, with the rest made up of elastane (for stretch).

Social enterprise that source products from social projects all over the world. B Corporation. Online store.

Veganpet is a complete and balanced dry pet food that contains no animal products. It provides a real alternative to processed animal foods and is priced comparitively. Scientific studies confirm Veganpet is suitable for maintaining a healthy diet for both cats and dogs, young and old. Order online.

Labour exploitation occurs at both the extraction and manufacturing stages of production of electronic goods. Child and forced labour is known to occur in the extraction of minerals for electronic goods. Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) refers to mining conducted with low-tech machinery and physical labour. Independent reports have consistently recorded the poor working conditions in supplier companies. In 2012 a report of ten electronics manufacturers in China found the average overtime of employees was between 100-130 hours per month - well in excess of the maximum 36 hours allowed under Chinese law. 11 hour days with very few days off are common. See 'Who Pays the Price? The Human Cost of Electronics' See 'The Truth of the Apple iPad Behind Foxconn's Lies' See RankaBrand's Sustainable Electronics Report 2014

This means that we elect various representatives to make decisions about the laws and policies that run our country. The fact that we can vote them out of power every four years motivates them to act with our interests in mind. Political donations can interfere with this, however. This is because the politicians might be concerned they won't receive a handout next year if they do not serve the donor's personal interests. Political donations also provide donors with direct access to ministers. An example is getting plenty of time to speak to them over a fundraiser dinner. This lets donors influence the government in ways not available to regular Australians. The vast majority of donation money comes from large companies, and in the case of the Labor Party, unions too. Aside from Clive Palmer, who donated $84 million to his own party, top donors for the 2019 election include Sugolena Pty Ltd, who donated $4 million to the Liberal Party; Pratt Holdings, who gave around $1.5 million across both major parties; and the Australian Hotel Association, who have previously lobbied against poker machine reform and gave $500,000 to the Coalition and $800,000 to Labor. With so many large donations, many experts are concerned about the influence these companies hold over our politicians. Donations under a specific monetary value do not need to be publicly disclosed. In 2021-22 this value was $14,500. However, this is per branch of the party, not the overall amount donated. Suppose one were to donate $14,500 to the national and eight state/territory branches of a political party. In that case, contributions of up to $130,500 could be given without it needing to be disclosed. The high threshold and potential for loopholes mean that around half of the private funding for the major political parties remains a secret. There have been calls to change the system, including a 2020 bill introduced by Senator Jacqui Lambie, however reform is yet to embaced by the major parties.  What you can do: Avoid buying from companies that take advantage of the system with large political donations. You can check this by searching the Australian Greens website Democracy For Sale. Check out Open Secrets to learn about political donations in the USA Support minor parties and independents trying to make the system more transparent and place a cap on political donations.

If you are interested in making ethical choices at the supermarket, why not do the same with your investments and superannuation? This is the concept behind ethical investment. Ethical investment has several names, some people call it responsible investment, others call it green investing. But the basic principle behind the concept is to enable you to integrate your personal values and social concerns with your investment choices. Ethical investment is the practice of consciously choosing to invest in companies whose activities you believe will serve the common good on a range of ethical, social and environmental issues as well as provide financial returns which are competitive with conventional investments. ask your superannuation fund to put your super into their ethical portfolio. consider investing with an ethical investment fund management company. Find out more about ethical investment options: Australian Ethical Investment Ethical Investment Advisors Responsible Investment Association Australasia (industry association)

Another ethical issue with alcohol in Australia is the country's unhealthy drinking practices among minors, and the role companies have in perpetuating this behaviour. The use of sports sponsorships and advertising on social media, bus stops and TV means that children are frequently exposed to material promoting alcohol use. In addition, the advertising and packaging of some products, especially pre-mixed spirits, are particularly attractive to under 18s. Many have called on the government and alcohol companies to change the way children are exposed to these marketing materials. Check the labelling to find out if the product is a house brand. If the address is for Pinnacle Drinks, then it is an Endeavour house brand. If it is for James Busby or Australian Beer Connoisseurs, it is a Coles Group brand. Look for small independent Australian-owned brands, rather than Endeavour and Coles' house brands Follow the link for a list of wines brands owned by Coles, Endeavour and other major players.

Whether it is medication, food, cosmetics, or other household items, various tests are performed to confirm their safety. Unfortunately, many of these tests are conducted on animals. This might include forced exposure to toxic chemicals or diseases, asphyxiation, extended physical restraint, food or water deprivation, genetic manipulation, forced feeding, and more. To make matters worse, most animals are killed at the end of the test. But is all this actually necessary? Despite putting millions of animals through this every year, it is unclear whether this approach is actually the most effective. Human biology often differs significantly from those of the animals used in testing. While animal studies can be useful as a first step, the conclusions don't carry over to humans in most cases. One study found this was true 64% of the time! This is not only a massive waste of life but needlessly expensive and time-consuming. Animal-free methods of testing product safety are being developed, including sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues (also known as in vitro methods), advanced computer-modeling techniques, and studies with human volunteers. Avoid products and companies that use animal testing. Search PETA's database of companies that do and that don't test on animals. Learn more about animal testing and find ways to take action.

Australia's second largest beef processor, Teys Bros, merged with Cargill Australia's beef division in 2011 creating a joint venture which controls another 21 per cent. Cargill, the world's largest grain trader, second largest meat packer, and USA's largest private corporation, also bought AWB (Australian Wheat Board) in 2011. JBS and Cargill have both been criticised for clearing Amazon rainforest to produce soy for animal feed. Find out about your meat and its story, support local meat suppliers, source farm-gate produce.

Around the world today, people are creating a fantastic future for healthier communities and a healthier planet, through sustainable food production. This includes fair trade, organic and community supported agriculture, farmers markets, local food co-ops, backyard food growing, and the slow food movement. It's a stark contrast to the modern agri-business system, which delivers the food to supermarket and fast food chains. A global system reliant on oil and hazardous chemicals, and controlled by large companies who abuse their power to maximise profit at the expense of farmers, factory workers and small retailers. With every meal, we have the opportunity to support a different food production system, one based on producing vibrant, healthy food with the wellbeing of people, animals and the land at heart. We encourage you to experiment in organic backyard food production, share healthy foods and the stories behind your food, and in doing this make a small, yet meaningful contribution to creating a food production system with a future. Check out Local Harvest, our sister resource for find good food close to you! Buy in bulk at a food co-op in your area, seek out free-range, organic products , or buy in bulk at a food co-op in your area. Share your excess produce and ideas at an urban harvest swap meet near you Grow a year's supply of vegetables in 40m square with a Diggers Club Mini Plot Transform your back yard into an edible food forest with the help of the community

The answer is not completely clear, but the number of researchers who have found negative effects is concerning. Many companies have introduced "BPA-free" products that substitute BPA for something else. While this seems great, the issue is that there is little evidence that these alternatives are any safer. This is simply because scientists have not had the time to study these yet. Because of this, we don't know for sure whether buying BPA-free products is an effective solution. BPA has also been found throughout our environment and is in various everyday items like receipts and electronics. This makes genuinely escaping exposure difficult, but we can still take action to protect ourselves. To reduce exposure to BPA: Avoid consuming food and drink stored in cans or plastic and move to fresh produce instead. Store your food in glass and ceramic containers rather than plastic or metal cans. You can buy BPA free products, however, be aware that it is not entirely clear whether they are any safer. Do not microwave plastics as this can cause further contamination of the food. Read more about BPA in this Choice article from 2014.

Due to their young age and underdeveloped following instincts, there is often rough handling during transportation. The transportation process itself regularly has them exposed to the elements, despite being only days old. What you can do: Consider reducing or removing dairy from your diet. Check out Animals Australia for some tips on dairy alternatives. If you can't cut out dairy from your diet, choose products from companies with animal welfare on their agenda. Elgaar Farms or Barambah Organic are good examples. Learn more about the issue

Bottled water is often marketed as a healthy alternative to tap water, soft drinks, and sports drinks. But have you ever thought about how it is produced? Water is a natural resource necessary for life on our planet. Access to water is a fundamental human right, so water reserves should be used for the collective good. However, corporations like Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle take advantage of this communal property for profit. It makes even less sense when you realise that for the same price as a standard 600ml bottle you get over 1000 litres of tap water! Clean Up Australia says that of all the rubbish their volunteers collect, 1 in 10 is related to bottled water. Because the bottles are plastic, non-renewable fossil fuels go into making them. These same plastics frequently end up in landfill and the ocean, taking hundreds of years to break down. Licenses to use groundwater usually lack proper analysis, meaning companies can often drain more than is sustainable from the Australian people. Is an industry that takes water from local communities, places it in unsustainable packaging, and charges an extreme markup really one you want to support? Make it a habit to use a refillable bottle instead of buying bottled water If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, it is better to install filters on your taps than waste money on bottled water. Talk to your council, work, or school about installing more water fountains so people have easy access to water.

In Australia, cosmetics must comply with safety standards, but there is no international consensus. Some chemicals banned in Europe and the US are still considered safe by Australian authorities. These include DBP in nail polish, BHA in lipsticks, lead acetate in hair colour, and coal tar in anti-dandruff shampoos. Other chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. These include mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA, D&C colours, aluminium, talc, and synthetic fragrances. Avoid known toxins. Decode the chemical nasties with the Chemical Maze app and book. Check out the Skin Deep cosmetics database with over 71,000 different products and a safety assessment of ingredients (US).

Further, Fairtrade ensures a minimum price for farmer's crops and distributes money to farmer organisations to improve their infrastructure. This means that farmers have more income to spend on adult workers instead of employing children. Look for the Fairtrade symbol when shopping for chocolate. The issues with cocoa production also go beyond child exploitation. Adult farmers consistently earn below a living wage. Old-growth forests are often cut down to make way for cocoa plantations, and farmers will illegally grow on national parks to increase their yield in any way. Cocoa production is also known to involve slavery. What you can do: Buy Fairtrade chocolate Purchase chocolate from countries of origin where these issues are less prevalent. Educate yourself on the extent and impacts of child exploitation in Ghana and the Ivory Coast Learn more about the various issues with cocoa production

Many ingredients may cause skin, eyes and respiratory irritation, asthma, headaches and chemical burns. Others have been associated with more serious long term health concerns such as hormone disruption, neurological disorders and cancer. However, you can learn something about a product's hazards by reading its label. 'Danger/ Poison' - most hazardous; 'Warning' - moderately hazardous; 'Caution' - slightly toxic. Ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. These include skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer. Avoid: chlorine or ammonia, listed as active ingredients formaldehyde, terpenes, phenols, chlorine, organic mercurials, balsams and aluminium complexes are known to have carcinogenic effects detergents containing Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEs) - do not degrade completely and are known hormone disruptors. detergents containing phosphates - cause algal blooms in waterways Look for: biodegradable to AS4351, or better still, an international standard plant-based ingredients, instead of petroleum-based concentrated form specific ingredient information such as 'solvent-free', 'no petroleum-based ingredients' rather than unregulated 'greenwash' claims such as 'natural' and 'eco-friendly' See which cleaning products are most environmentally friendly.

There is also a lack of labour regulation, meaning hazardous work conditions, child labour, and subpar wages plague mines in these conflict zones. Most conflict minerals are mined from Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being the most prevalent example. In countries like these, the government often has trouble regulating and monitoring the thousands of mines that litter the nation. This allows armed groups to control or extort the mines and their workers, with mining income directly funding the violence of many armed groups in the region. The situation also causes suffering as these groups fight each other for control over these mining sites. Beyond the violence perpetrated by militants, the working conditions in the mines are frequently deplorable. The workers, including children, are regularly coerced into work. Conditions are often dangerous, with the lack of government regulation and domination by armed groups preventing workers from fighting for sufficient labour rights. Choose to buy from companies that have taken steps to trace their supply chains and are attempting to avoid sourcing conflict minerals. As You Sow has ranked the largest electronic companies on their commitment to tracing their supply chains and using legitimately-sourced minerals What you can do: Avoid purchasing products made with conflict minerals and buy from companies committed to equitable and conflict-free supply chains. As You Sow's Mining the Disclosures' report offers comprehensive rankings in many industries. Buy jewellery and electronics second-hand. This avoids supporting conflict minerals while also being less wasteful. Contact your local member of parliament and express your desire for greater regulation of conflict minerals and further effort in addressing the underlying problems in these regions.

See the Wilderness Society's Ethical Paper campaign, with a focus on protection of Victoria's native forests and encouraging Australian Paper (maker of Reflex copy paper) to use wood from forest friendly sources. Sign the Ethical Paper Pledge. Look for products with: a high percentage of post-consumer-waste recycled content; a high percentage of fibre sourced from sustainably managed plantations (eg. FSC 'Forest Stewardship Council' certification); alternative fibres such as hemp, kenaf and bagasse.

The current minimum space allocation for caged birds is 450cm2 floor space per bird (less than the size of a piece of A4 paper). With on average 3- 5 birds per cage, this equals about 18 hens per square metre. The small size of cages means that birds are unable to turn around easily, stretch out, flap their wings or exercise. Cages do not satisfy the hen's behavioural need to perch, dust bathe, forage, and lay their eggs in a secluded nest. Beaks are trimmed to prevent cannibalism. In 2008, the European Union announced a ban on conventional battery cages to come into effect from 2012 (Directive 1999/74/EC). This will mean 'Enriched' cages must allow at least 750 cm2 per hen, and contain a nest, litter, perch and clawing-board. This is equal to 9 hens per square metre. BARN-LAID EGGS Hens are housed in a large barn or shed, which contains perching facilities, litter, nest boxes, feeders and drinkers. Most barns have around one-third of the floor space covered with litter that allows for scratching and dust bathing. Flocks may be small (500 birds) or large (5000 birds or more). Conventional barns house 12-15 hens per square metre. The RSPCA-accredited barn-housed hens ('Choose Wisely' branding) house up to 9 hens per square metre. FREE-RANGE EGGS In May 2016 a new national standard for free-range egg production was introduced, requiring the density of chickens outdoors must be no more than one hen per square metre (10,000 hens per hectare) and hens are to have "meaningful and regular" access to the outdoors. It also requires the disclosure of outdoor stocking densities. This legislation is significantly less strict than the 1,500 birds per hectare standard, recommended by the CSIRO and preferred by the RSPCA, a standard previously in place in the Australian Capital Territory. Consumer advocacy group CHOICE responded to the new standards by calling for a consumer boycott of eggs from companies with high stocking densities. Three voluntary certifications that have documented standards are: (1) FREPA (Free Range Egg & Poultry Australia). 7 hens per square metre. Farms are inspected annually, hens have access to pasture and water, do not lay under lights, and are not debeaked. (2) Organic certification. ACO (Australian Certified Organic) guarantee birds are fed organic grain, are free from pesticides, chemical fertilisers and antibiotics, with a maximum of 5 hens per square metre. (3) RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme includes standards for barn or free-range production where farms are assessed by the RSPCA at least twice per year. The standards are focussed on animal welfare where hens can perch, dust bathe, scratch and forage, and lay their eggs in a nest. (4) Australian Egg Corporation 'Egg Corp Assured', which represents 90% of producers, code of practice for animal welfare as part of their quality assurance scheme has 14 hens per square, and 'access' to outside. Allows beak trimming. Recipients of Choice's 2008 "Shonky Awards". If you want to buy free-range eggs with hen welfare in mind, look for independent certification such as FREPA, RSPCA or Certified Organic. Or use the Choice free-range eggs buying guide to see which brands meet the recommended model code of 1500 hens per hectare. Learn more

The past few decades have seen the creation of many technologies that significantly improve our lives. Social networks allow us to stay in contact with friends and family. Search engines let us access seemingly limitless information. Video games provide new and interesting forms of art. However, these technologies can also bring a great deal of harm to people and society. Social networks have caused many to substitute meaningful connections for superficiality. The internet provides as much misinformation as it does knowledge. And video games have become an addiction for numerous people. Unfortunately, technology companies are rarely held accountable, with little action being taken to reduce these risks. However, there is a lot you can do to minimise the harm for you and your family. Some of the biggest negative impacts of these technologies are on physical and mental health. In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) added gaming addiction to the International Classification of Diseases. Too much screen use takes people away from work, education, socialising, exercise, and other activities necessary for their wellbeing. In addition, social media sites like Instagram and TikTok can often distort people's views on how their lives and bodies should look. This can lead to body image issues and shame over one's lifestyle. Particularly for young people, social media and online video games expose users to cyberbullying, which is highly damaging to mental health. Another issue with these technologies is how the algorithms on many social media sites have been shown to push people towards extremist and harmful content. Examples include neo-nazi groups, extreme sexism, or conspiracies that encourage violence. Many of these issues are not inherent to these devices and services but depend on how they are used. As difficult as it can be, you get to choose how often and in what ways you engage with these technologies. It can help to reflect on what you genuinely enjoy doing on these devices and then limit yourself to these activities in healthy doses. Generally, activities which connect you with others and require your active input will be more fulfilling than those which are passive and solitary. It can also help to reflect on what things trigger unhealthy technology use and take extra care in these moments. If you know you overuse your phone before bed, for example, place it in a different room and read a book instead. One of the best things you can do is train yourself to stop and consider "is this what I really want to do right now?", every time you engage with these devices. What you can do: Limit your engagement with these devices to a healthy level. Set reminders to keep you aware of how long you are spending with these technologies, create "device-free" times throughout the day, and even delete the app or sell the product if necessary. Use these devices in ways you know will improve your wellbeing rather than damage it. For example, replace solitary and passive activities (scrolling your Instagram feed) with active and social actions (messaging friends and family). Write to politicians, sign petitions, and use your vote, to encourage greater regulation for these tech companies. To learn more, watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix and check out the Center for Humane Technology

Despite this, there has been little effort from governments or businesses to reduce its prevalence or negative impacts. Exactly what factory farming involves will vary for different kinds of animals. There are a few overarching themes, however. The biggest one is the treatment of animals as commodities rather than living beings. This leads to money being valued more highly than the animals' welfare and basic needs. Related to this is a focus on large-scale production and efficiency. This often leads to a large number of animals being confined to small living spaces, including indoor sheds, cages, crates, or pens. Hormones and breeding practices are often used to distort these animals' bodies in the name of greater meat production at the expense of their welfare. One example is selective breeding to make chickens reach slaughter weight three times faster, causing several skeletal and cardiovascular issues. Unfortunately, these cruel, overcrowded conditions create the perfect environment for diseases to cultivate. Because giving animals a more ethical environment would reduce profit, however, these farms pump the animals full of antibiotics instead of addressing the underlying issue. When these seep into the environment, they allow microbes to become resistant, making it harder for us to fight certain illnesses. Factory farming places a significant toll on the environment. The amount of water, fossil fuels, and land used in these farms is significant and unsustainable. Animal waste and the pesticides used in the animal feed contaminate waterways to the point that some become dead zones unable to support life! Due to long hours, exposure to disease, and simply the nature of the work itself, workers at factory farms are more likely to suffer from physical and psychological problems. Further, these environmental and health impacts more greatly affect the rural communities surrounding these farms compared to other populations. This list of problems is only scratching the surface. Still, I'm sure you are already wondering how to avoid contributing to this cruel practice. What you can do: Learn more at Voiceless You can stop the problem at its source by reducing or eliminating animal products from your diet. This isn't always easy, so try to remember it is a gradual process. Animals Australia is a great place to go for more tips. If you continue to eat animal products, look for those which are independently certified by organisations like the RSPCA. The ethical standards for these items are higher, although far from perfect. If buying meat, Sustainable Table's Ethical Meat Suppliers Directory will help you find butchers offering free range and organic meat. Find cafes and restaurants serving higher welfare food near you at RSPCA's Choose Wisely website.

Volatile coffee bean prices, changing weather conditions, difficulties with disease, and a lack of bargaining power put significant pressure on farmers. This is compounded by a coffee bean price that has been declining for the last decade. In some cases, farmers earn less than one cent from a $3 cup of coffee! But if coffee is such a profitable product and growers live so poorly, where does all that money go? Well, most of the profits are pocketed by the roasters, which are overwhelmingly large multinational companies. The biggest of these in the Australian market include Nestle, JDE Peet's, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Many large Australian businesses, like Vittoria Coffee, also have a significant market share. While far from perfect, Fairtrade-certified coffee is a solid alternative. Farmers who are certified get a minimum price for their beans, protecting against unpredictability. They also receive a premium to invest in their business or local community. Another plus is the audits which aim to prevent child and forced labour, discrimination, and other poor work conditions. A more ideal solution is to buy from companies that both grow and roast the beans themselves. This cuts out the multinationals taking the profits and ensures equitable pay for growers. What you can do: Buy coffee that is sustainably grown and roasted here in Australia. Look for products with the certified Fairtrade symbol, preferable from from small, independent, Australian-owned roasters.

These include hyperactivity, headaches, gastric irritation, behavioural disorders, learning difficulty, cancer, skin rashes, and asthma symptoms. Another ethical issue relates to consumers' lack of agency over the additives they consume. While numbers are a practical way to classify them, almost no one will memorise every number. As a result, consumers have to go beyond the label to understand what is in their foods. Combined with the lack of education on the potential harms of some food additives, this makes it more difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about their dietary choices. What can you do? If you are worried about food additives, try eating less processed foods and more whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains. Read this article by CHOICE to learn more about specific kinds of food additives and their controversies. Identify dangerous food additives with the Chemical Maze book and app, or follow the link to see the Food Intolerance Network’s complete list of additives and their safety.

� Don't forget that air pollution from transportation is not the only way agribusiness damages the environment. How foods are produced can also wreak havoc on the natural world. There is little point in choosing an Australian product to cut down food miles if the product itself causes significant environmental damage. Consider the impact of how your food is made as well as its transportation. Things you can do: Buy Local. Purchase from local independent co-ops and grocers rather than the big supermarket chains. In the market, ask your local grocer where the produce comes from. You should also check out Local Harvest, our resource for finding good local food close to you! The Australian Farmers' Markets Association has a tool for finding farmers' markets and even resources to help you start your own! In the supermarket, choose items labelled "Product of Australia" or "Grown in Australia". Otherwise, choose items made in Australia with a high percentage of Australian ingredients. You learn more on the ACCC's website.

Animals often exhibit psychological distress and abnormal behaviours like self-mutilation, fur-chewing, and repetitive circling around the cage. The methods used to kill these animals are similarly cruel. They include gassing, anal electrocution, and suffocation. Can you really support an industry that puts millions of living beings through this every year? The other main way fur is collected is through trapping. Most of the time, this involves laying traps in the wild that immobilise the animal until hunters can come and collect them. Although practices and regulations vary, common traps include steel-jaw leg-hold traps, wire snare traps, and underwater traps. Traps that aren't intended to kill the animal will leave them in pain until they are killed by their injuries, environmental conditions, or a hunter. Even traps intended to kill are usually not instant and leave them in pain before dying, such as those which drown or suffocate the animal. Another problem is that traps risk injuring or killing animals other than the target, including domesticated dogs and cats. This causes needless suffering and death and can be traumatic for families if their animal companion is accidentally harmed. What you can do: Avoid buying products containing fur. Be careful, some clothing contains a fur trim or other feature despite looking fur-free. Learn how to spot the difference between real and fake fur. Boycott brands that use fur and support those that do not. Check Animals Australia's Fur Free Shopping List for retailers and designers with fur-free policies.

Both these can be labelled under 'vegetable oil' without any indication that they are GE. Processed food commonly contains GE ingredients, mainly through imported corn, soy and cottonseed oil. GE crops pose a very real threat to our food because, as living organisms, they can reproduce and spread and so once released they cannot be recalled. Their effects are irreversible. Concerns over genetically engineered (GE) food include unknown health risks, threats to biodiversity, contamination of conventional and organic crops, increase in pesticide and herbicide use, and control over our food by multinational chemical companies who legally own the patents on the technology. Look for foods labelled 'GMO free', 'GE-free', 'Not genetically modified', certified 'Organic' & 'Bio-dynamic' or items that are 'Product of Australia' (except food containing cottonseed & canola oil) Check the 'GM-Free Shopping List' for all brands guaranteed GM-free by their manufacturer (assurance they are not using GM ingredients anywhere in the food chain, including animal feed). Snapshot: What is genetically modified food, why is it controversial and how do I know if I’m eating it?

This is more than the entire transportation sector. As outlined in the United Nations report, Livestock's Long Shadow, livestock production is also a major contributor to the problems of land degradation, air pollution, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution. On average Australians eat over 70 kilograms of meat per person each year. Cut out beef from your diet and you'll save 1.45 tonnes of greenhouse gas a year. Switching from a normal sedan car to a hybrid car would reduce your annual emissions by only just over one tonne. Almost 50 per cent of all the grains grown in the world go towards cattle feed - enough food to feed 8.7 billion people. Presently 1.02 billion people, one sixth of humanity, are undernourished. Production of dairy and beef products is particularly water-intensive. The dairy sector alone accounts for one out of every 10 litres of total household water use. It takes 1,000 litres of water to produce one litre of milk. Reducing your meat and dairy consumption or, even better, committing to a vegetarian or vegan diet, is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your environmental impact.

They are found in cosmetics, moisturisers, and some sunscreens, and are used to increase products' penetration into the skin. Concerns have been raised that if nanoparticles are absorbed into living skin cells, they could increase the risk of skin cancer. Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by 10 top name brands, including Christian Dior, Revlon, and Yves Saint Laurent. Only one of these, Christian Dior, labelled its use of nano ingredients. Companies are not legally required to test the safety of nanoparticles before using them in products, or to label their products as containing nano ingredients. More on nanotechnology in sunscreens Emerging Nanotechnologies - concerns overview

Organic farms must not use synthetic fertilisers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, irradiation, and human-made nanoparticles. They also need to put in place practices that: maintain or improve soil health, equitably manage water, are appropriate for the local ecosystem, minimise water and ground pollution, preserve native species, prioritise animal welfare, and more. Organic products have many benefits for the environment, health, and animal welfare. Organic farms result in greater biodiversity, better soil and water quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and an overall more sustainable agricultural system. A certain level of animal welfare is also required for certified organic products. Studies show that those who eat organic have significantly lower exposure to pesticides. Organic produce also tends to have more vitamins, antioxidants, and good fats. While the evidence is still developing on whether these lead to a significant health difference, they are certainly a solid indicator. However, it is important to take care when buying organic products. Just because something is labelled as organic does not necessarily mean it is. Australian products sold locally do not need to be certified or meet the national standard to be labelled organic. Instead, companies simply need to be able to "substantiate their claims". To ensure your product is organic, you should look for certification. Examples are Australian Certified Organic, Biological Farmers of Australia, and NAASA. It should also be noted that organic foods tend to have a lower yield. This means that more land needs to be cleared to meet the same demand, bringing its own environmental issues.  Buy directly from farmers who use organic methods, or subscribe to an organic box service that delivers organic food to your door at regular intervals. You can find farmers' markets and other organic retailers in your area with Local Harvest. Choose products that are certified organic or biodynamic under one of the following labels: ACO, BFA, NAASA, Demeter. Find out which fruits and vegetables expose you to the most and least pesticides so you'll know which ones to buy organic, and which conventionally grown ones are okay when organic isn't available.

Outworkers are almost always paid in piece rates, usually equating to $5-8 an hour, but sometimes as little as $3 an hour. The low rates of pay that outworkers receive, combined with routinely short deadlines, results in many outworkers having to work extremely long hours, sometimes around the clock, or 7 days a week. Support Ethical Clothing Australia accredited businesses who have taken practical steps to keep their Australian-based supply chains transparent and ensure that they and any sub-contractors are compliant with the relevant Australian laws. Learn more about Homeworkers/outworkers in Australia

But have you ever stopped to think about the impacts of what you're eating? For decades now, the global demand for fish and seafood has increased. It has had a significant impact on our ocean ecosystems. 90 per cent of global fish stocks are fully exploited or overfished. Pacific bluefin tuna populations are estimated at under 4 per cent of their pre-fishing levels. Oceanic shark and ray populations have declined by 71 per cent since 1970, and around a third are threatened with extinction. The primary cause of all of this? Overfishing. There are many ways in which the fishing industry adversely impacts aquatic life. The most straightforward is fishing a population beyond a sustainable level. This means that animals are being fished faster than they're replenishing, resulting in a population decline. Aquatic life is often thrown back after being fished, usually because they are too small or not the correct species. However, even this often causes injury or death because of rapid decompression, air exposure, and the stress of being captured. The plastic from fishing equipment is another issue. 45 per cent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in weight is discarded fishing nets. This can be combated in a few ways. The most obvious is limiting how much fishing is done in the first place, particularly for species that are at risk. Government-mandated fishing quotas help, and we can do our bit by cutting or reducing our seafood intake. If you continue eating seafood, you should ensure that what you eat is sustainably sourced. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy. Manufacturers often name their products to obscure the underlying animal, such as using "flake" to describe shark. Aggregate products like fish sticks or patties also tend to include unsustainable seafood without the consumer realising. It's important to check the label and learn what products and species are sustainable choices. What can you do? Eliminate or reduce your seafood consumption. Tofu is a great protein-rich alternative. If you are concerned about omega-3, flaxseed, walnuts and algae oil are great substitutes. When buying seafood, use GoodFish: Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide to help you find the most sustainable options. Avoid species most at risk, such as shark products, rays, bigeye tuna, and southern bluefin tuna. Choose fish lower down the food chain, such as sardines and anchovies. Look for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logos. These certify that the seafood production occurred in a reasonably sustainable manner.

But did you know that this simple ingredient actually contributes to a great deal of environmental degradation? The vast majority of palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia from oil palm plantations. The problem is, creating these plantations requires destruction of a significant amount of rainforest. This process takes away the habitat of countless animal species, such as orangutans, tigers, and rhinos. This is especially troubling given the biodiversity of these forests. The indigenous peoples of those lands frequently lose their homes and whole way of life. Unfortunately, palm oil production is increasing year on year. It can be difficult for consumers to know which products contain palm oil as it is usually just listed as "vegetable oils". Luckily, many companies are removing palm oil from their products or producing palm-oil-free versions. These are often clearly labelled as such. While palm oil production currently causes a great deal of damage, there are some advantages to the crop. Its yield per unit of land can be up to ten times higher than other vegetable oils. It is also plays a significant role in the Indonesian and Malaysian economies, helping the countries to develop. Given that a boycott is likely to just result in palm oil being replaced with less efficient vegetable oil crops, many suggest sustainable palm oil production as a more reasonable solution. Leading this initiative is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) who provide certifications to growers and retailers involved in the palm oil industry. The RSPO aims to allow growers to earn a living wage while respecting human rights, conserving the natural environment, and maintaining transparency. However, many are concerned that the certification process is not strict enough. For example, land clearing and new plantings are still permissible, although there are protections for indigenous peoples and forests with high conservation values. Further, some of their certification options provide little environmental or social benefit while still allowing use of a varied form of their logo. One example is the 'mass balance' certification which still allows sustainable palm oil to be mixed with conventional palm oils. Another involves merely buying 'credits' to support growers without any assessment of the actual palm oil used in the products! Because of this confusing system, it is important to understand the different certifications (follow the link below) and check carefully when purchasing products containing RSPO certified palm oil. What you can do: Download Waza's Palm Oil Scan app to help you make an informed choice when purchasing products. See if your favourite products contain palm oil derived ingredients by checking against this list of names for palm oil. Check out WWF's Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard to see which companies are sourcing palm oil responsibly. Search our assessments database to see which companies are sourcing sustainable palm oil.

Regular toilet and tissue paper uses wood fibre, largely from plantations. Plantations are monocultures that often displace our native forests. Native forests absorb carbon dioxide, act as water catchments and are home to animals and much biodiversity. By using paper made from paper pulp with recycled content, you reduce demand for native forest logging. Post-consumer-waste paper is even more preferable as it is has been used once and then collected for recycling. Each ton of post-consumer-waste recycled paper saves 17 trees, 26,000 litres of water, and 4,100 kwh of energy - enough to power the average home for 6 months. Choose toilet paper with FSC Recycled certification. Brands include SAFE, icare, Naturale, Earthcare, Earthwise & Caprice Green. Choose those with paper wrapping where possible. Avoid paper products that have been bleached with chlorine (toxic). Look for unbleached as first preference, or oxygen-bleached, total chlorine-free, or elemental chlorine free, as a second preference.

There are many negative consequences to these business practices, such as encouraging wastage, environmental damage, and causing financial stress for consumers. Electronic parts are often toxic to the environment and their materials are rare in the first place. Another major issue, especially when the product is needed for one's livelihood, is that it takes control of one's life away from them and into the hands of large companies. This last point is particularly true for the agricultural industry, where repairing one's own farming tools is becoming more and more impossible. Luckily, change is on its way, and there are many ways you can participate in it. Repair cafes have been popping up worldwide since 2009. These are community meeting places where people learn how to repair everyday items from clothing to bicycles to electronics. You can also buy and sell second-hand to extend a products life, rather than giving in to planned obsolescence. Apple, previously one of the worst offenders, has committed to providing customers with access to genuine parts, tools, and manuals to assist with self-service repair. Finally, minimise the need for repairs in the first place by spending your money on goods which have long lives and can more easily be repaired. Find your closest repair cafe, where volunteers show you how to fix your own stuff. Australian Repair Network has a helpful map of repair cafes around Australia (at the bottom of the linked webpage). Find repair guides for everything from electronics and appliances to clothing and cars at iFixit. If you can't repair something yourself, hire an independent repairer. Support companies that are committed to making long lasting durable products which facilitate self-service repairs or repairs from independent repairers. You can use repairability ratings provided by websites like iFixit to help.

Sandblasting causes silicosis which the World Health Organization states leads to lung fibrosis and emphysema. In later stages the critical condition can become disabling and is often fatal. The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation launched its campaign to eliminate the use of sandblasting in the garment industry in 2009. In 2010 both Levi's and H&M jointly decided to eliminate the process from their supply chains representing a major breakthrough in the campaign. Introduction to sandblasting Killer Jeans report (2016) Deadly Denim report - Sandblasting in the Bangladesh Garment Industry (2012)

Metcash accounts for 7% of supermarket sales in Australia and distributes primarily to independently owned stores including IGA and Foodland supermarkets; IGA Liquor, Bottle-O and Cellarbrations liquor stores; Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware and Total Tools hardware stores. Take action: Shop at independent supermarkets See article: Tactics used to maintain power over the grocery market in Australia See program: Super Power - The cost of living with Coles and Woolworths Take action: Shop at farmers markets and food co-ops

Large-scale deforestation to make way for the mining threatens to leave up to half of Bangka's forests arid, and previously fertile ground and water aquifers have acidified. Purchase electronics goods from companies that are open about where they source tin from, acknowledge the damage tin extraction has caused in Indonesia, and support the introduction of sustainable mining practices. Friends of the Earth Netherlands has assessed major electronics companies based on their transparency and support for sustainable mining See Friends of the Earth's three part documentary: Mining for Smartphones

BFRs, used to prevent circuit boards from igniting, are resistant to degradation and build up in animals and humans over time as it moves up the food chain. Lead, used in older CRT monitors, cadmium, used in laptop batteries and computer contacts, and mercury, used in lighting devices for flat screen displays, are also of particular concern. These chemicals can damage the brain and cause intellectual impairment, and can also harm kidneys, bones, and reproductive systems. See Green Gadgets: Designing the Future See Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics See HealthyStuff.org's 2012 study on toxic chemicals in mobile phones

Many toys are produced in factories operating under sweatshop-like conditions. Despite protests, the industry continues to source toys from factories with documented labour and human rights violations. Three-quarters of the world's toys are made in China. Working conditions have been improving, but serious labour violations continue. Toy workers have to work long days in the peak season without appropriate pay, often for more than 80 hours a week' well above China's legal limit. Many factories impose fines for refusing and other 'misdemeanours', such as missing a day's work or spending too long on a toilet break. The ICTI CARE Process is the toy industry's ethical manufacturing program aimed at ensuring safe and humane workplace environments for toy factory workers worldwide. However, this process has been criticised by labour rights organisations. What you can do: Choose 'China-free' toys from companies such as Playmobil and Lego who manufacture most of their products in Europe; or Fair-trade accredited products. Toys last a lot longer than kids' interest in them so keep them moving around. Pass them on to family and friends (and tell everyone you're happy to get hand-me-downs as presents), join your local Freecycle, seek out used toy fairs, buy and sell used toys online or join a local toy library. See report: The Dark Side of the Glittering World - Exploitation in Toy Factories in China

The World Bank supported third-party monitoring by the International Labour Organization starting in 2015, which confirmed the elimination of systemic forced and child labor in the 2021 harvest. Consequently, the Cotton Campaign lifted the boycott in March 2022, and the U.S. removed import restrictions in September 2022. The Cotton Campaign has now shifted its focus to Turkmenistan, where state-imposed forced labor in cotton production remains widespread and systematic, with tens of thousands of public sector workers and farmers coerced into harvesting cotton under threat of penalties like job loss or land confiscation. Watch 'White Gold - the true cost of cotton' (8min video - 2008) Read about the campaign against forced labor in the cotton fields of Turkmenistan. See the open letter and call to boycott Uzbek cotton (2009). See the list of 331 companies who signed the Pledge against using products that have cotton from Uzbekistan.

After international campaigns by animal activist groups and the threatened boycott of Australian wool by European retailers, the Australian Wool Industry stated it would phase out mulesing but has since scrapped this earlier promise. If you choose to buy wool products, ask the retailer whether the wool is ethically sourced from sheep that are not mulesed. Find brands and retailers specialising in supplying wool certified as non-mulesed, such as NewMerino, Plevna Downs, Woolerina and The Merino Company. See alternatives to wool at the Animals Australia Unleashed Faux Shopping Guide Find out more about this difficult issue