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Most of their clothing is made from hemp or bamboo, but they also use pure hemp, organic cotton, hemp cotton, hemp rayon, bamboo cotton, and soy cotton. Based in Silverwater, NSW.

Industry body representing producers. Ensure that standards for genuine free range production would be set and the consumer would have a way of recognising a genuine product. Follow link to see standards and licensees. Look for FREPA logo.

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.

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.

Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable fashion. Based in UK.

Brings free range meat from farm directly to your family. Delivery available for Sydney and surrounding suburbs.

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.

Brisbane-based Organic dairy farm who have a policy that involves keeping all bobby calves.

Biome is an online retailer which sells carefully selected sustainable and ethical products. All their products are cruelty free, palm oil free, toxin free, vegetarian and made by reputable companies. Follow the link to see their selection of food storage containers.

Clean Slate are an artisan skin care company based in Perth, WA. They have a focus on organic and local (Australian) ingredients where possible, and are accredited by Choose Cruelty Free.

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.

Find microbreweries. The Crafty Pint is all about helping the little guy and those brewers striving to make flavoursome beer that offers their drinkers an experience worth remembering, whether by serving up a new taste experience or by giving them an amazing place in which to drink it.

Australian owned and made laundry detergent is 8 X concentrated to reduce packaging. Refill and return available. 50% of their profits are donated to The Ocean Cleanup. PETA certified vegan and cruelty free. All ingredients are 100% biodegradable.

The ecoCaffe Company is a 100% Australian owned company that exclusively distributes the Ethical Coffee Company espresso's in biodegradable coffee capsules for Australian consumers. Their range includes Fairtrade and organic options.

While no disposable nappies are 100% compostable, these nappies are about as close as you can get. Features include key components made from plant-based materials, a compostable leak barrier, wood pulp from certified sustainable forests and the nappies are free from nasty chemicals. Australian owned.

Tasmanian Organic dairy farm with significant animal welfare policies. Retire dairy cows to grazing the paddocks for the rest of their natural life. Let calves suckle naturally on their mothers for an extended period of time (2 to 4 months). Let the calves run with the herd (and therefore their mothers) from then on. Do not use animal derived rennet in the production of cheese. Package milk in returnable glass with deposit system. Only available in Tasmania

Best choice meat - Grazed free range on Gippsland farms; Healthy, well fed livestock managed to minimise stress; Grown without artificial hormones or antibiotics; actively protecting biodiversity and water quality; management and protection of soil health and organic matter, EMS certified farm.

Designed in Australia, made in China. Most of the Environmental toothbrush and packaging are plastic-free and compostable (inner sleeve is plastic). Nylon bristles are biodegradable.

Farm to Hanger make underwear and T-shirts from Australian grown cotton, with green-powered manufacturing, Greenfleet Carbon Offset Certified, Ethical Clothing Australia accredited production. Based in Daylesford, Victoria.

Produces dog food using only high welfare ingredients and materials that support ethical producers. No meat is sourced from factory farms, and their products contain free-range eggs and organic fruit & veg.

Small family-owned baking business from the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Their gingerbread is vegan and palm oil free, and packaged in compostable wrappers. They also support a number of charities.

South Australian made and owned and have been producing ice cream in Laura, South Australia for the past 90 years.

Screen-printed clothing; organic, recycled or locally produced fabrics; run workshops. Based in Brunswick, VIC.

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.

HoMie is a streetwear clothing social enterprise that uses 100% of their profits to provide brand-new clothing, training and job opportunities to young people affected by homelessness or hardship.

The Australian Honey Map is a listing of Australian producers and stockists. It's been put together by Save The Bees Australia to help you avoid imported honey and identify 100% Australian products. If you're buying supermarket honey, be aware that Capilano are retailing imported honey under the brands Smith's and Allowrie. Look for honey labelled 'Product of Australia'.

These wipes are recommended by mynontoxictribe.com.au. A tree is planted for every order received through their website. Australian owned and operated. Available online, including a bulk membership option.

Julisa vegan nail polish is made on the Gold Coast in Australia, accredited cruelty free by PETA and Choose Cruelty Free, Certified Toxic Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia and accredited palm oil free by The Orangutan Project. Available online and from selected stores.

Supplier of certified GMO-free and organic grains.

Founded in 2017, Koala Eco products are Certified Toxic-Free, certified allergy safe, vegan, no new plastic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, not tested on animals, and Australian owned and made. The company donates to One Percent for the Planet. Available in health food stores and online.

Founded by two dads from Bondi Beach. Koh's Universal Cleaner is 100% Australian owned and made, certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of palm oil and nasty chemicals. Available online.

Australian-owned and made skincare products certified cruelty-free & vegan by PETA, and certified Toxic-Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia. Based in Tasmania.

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.

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup around two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally like a tampon but collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing. Unlike tampons the Mooncup is not a disposable product, so you only need to buy one. In 2004, Mooncup Ltd. was awarded Ethical Company status for its commitment to people and animal friendly practices, making it the first sanitary protection manufacturer in the world to be a certified ethical business. Order online from UK.

Cruelty-free footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books and other accessories. Online store selling multiple brands. Based in the USA.

A small sustainable cow profit dairy model run by two Australian families in Victoria. Profits go towards their Cow Sanctuary where mother cow, daddy bull and calves are protected for their entire life. Slaughter free, cruelty free, free-range and grass fed cows. See their website to find a stockist near you.

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.

This Tasmania-based company makes eco-friendly dog and cat collars & leads. The company's environmental claims include efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, packaging from recycled paper and being cruelty-free/vegan.

T-Shirts, clothing, bags; brands Certton, Earth Positive, Continental Clothing, Drover; all sweatshop free, 100% organic cotton. Based in Currumbin, QLD.

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.

100% Tree-Free rolls of 3 ply toilet paper made from 100% renewable & recycled bamboo & sugarcane waste. Paper wrapped. (Made in China). Order from website. Home delivery.

Reusable Produce Bags by Ethical Produce Solutions are lightweight, functional and strong. Use instead of disposable plastic bags for your fruit and vegetables in the supermarket or greengrocer. Machine washable, reusable, durable, environmentally friendly.

Fairtrade and organic certified T-shirts and caps. Based in Dee Why, NSW.

Sienna makes its non-toxic, cruelty-free and vegan nail polish in Byron Bay, Australia.

SimplyClean launched in 2012. All their products are made in Northern NSW. Their range of environmentally friendly cleaning products are non-toxic, palm oil free, vegan, cruelty free (accredited by PETA) and grey water safe. Available from selected wholefood stores and independent supermarkets.

Fair trade and sweat-shop free, hand loomed organic cotton, thread is dyed using natural dyes, and loomed into fabric, no pesticides are used in the process of growing, dyeing and looming this fabric. Based in QLD.

Single origin chocolate grown in Vanuatu and made in a tiny factory in Mudgee, NSW. Cocoa is sourced directly from 2-3 families in Vanuatu.

100% Australian owned company that has been making certified organic teas since 1998, using locally sourced fruits and herbs, and biodegradable, unbleached teabags. Based in Melbourne, VIC.

This Australian family-owned company makes its soaps in Dandenong, Melbourne. Their soaps are certified cruelty free and vegan by Choose Cruelty Free, and certified palm oil free by the Orangutan Alliance. Their soaps are packaged using only recycled or recyclable cardboard and paper - no plastic.

Reusable bags for your fruit, vegetables, nuts and more. 100% Australian made and owned, durable, lightweight, transparent, washable, holds 4kg +, drawstring keeps content secure. Other uses include storing craft or toys, wash bag, travelling organiser, drying herbs, and fly nets.

A stick, from the root of the Peelu tree, is a natural and more effective toothbrush than your typical plastic and nylon kind. Naturally kills bacteria and fights plaque. On it's own. With no toothpaste.

The Social Outfit is a Social Traders Certified ethical trading social enterprise that provides employment and training in the fashion industry to people from refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design and marketing.

Tielka is a 100% Australian owned company that offers fairtrade and organic loose leaf tea. They specialise in white, yellow, green, oolong, black, pu-erh and floral varietals that are ethically sourced and imported directly from tea farmers. Ph: 1300 843 552

Founded in 1989, Tri Nature's award winning range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products are Australian-owned and made, plant-based, accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of nasty chemicals.

This Australian family-owned company makes a range of fruit spreads, chutney, relishes and fruit pastes from fruit and vegetables that have been rejected by retailers. All of their preserves are vegan friendly and naturally gluten free.

Woohoo deodorant is Australian owned and made, toxin-free and certified vegan and cruelty free by PETA. Family-owned company based in Newcastle, NSW. Products available in health food stores around Australia.

Brazil's JBS, the world's largest meat company, now controls 25 per cent of Australia's beef industry after buying Australian Meat Holdings, Tasman Group, and Rockdale Beef between 2007 and 2010. 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.

Coffee is a major industry in Australia and a big part of our culture. An estimated 19 million Australians drink coffee every day, with the industry bringing in $3.18 billion in revenue for 2020. But have you ever thought about the millions of people across the world whose livelihoods depend on coffee production? Unfortunately, many are unable to earn a reliable living wage. 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.

However this tells us nothing about the beef being sold in supermarkets and butcher shops. In fact, 80% of the beef being sold in these places is 'feedlot finished' (fattened with grain). There are currently about 720,000 head of cattle in Australia's feedlots. Each animal has five to 10 square metres of space in a pen of 50 to 200 cattle. In these cramped conditions, cattle are forced to stand and sleep in their own manure and endure extremes of weather. Close confinement means a much higher risk of disease so antibiotic drugs are routinely used. Grain feed commonly causes their digestive systems to be acidic. Talk to your butcher and ask for grass-fed, chemical free meat from a local producer.

Currently the only genetically engineered (GE) food crops commercially produced in Australia are cotton and canola. 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?

Coles Group owns the liquor stores 1st Choice, Liquorland, and Vintage Cellars, plus many liquor house brands including Tinnies, Maxx and Steamrail beer, Mr Finch cider, Volsk vodka, Kentucky Gold bourbon, Old Lion's gin, and John Samson scotch whisky. 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.

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.

Traces of the chemical are found in most people and have also been found in foetuses and newborns. But does any of this matter? The answer is not entirely clear, but there is cause for concern. The problem is what bisphenol A does when it gets into the body. BPA acts like the hormone oestrogen. Research shows that at high levels, this can have adverse effects on reproduction, the nervous system, immunity, metabolism, the cardiovascular system, and more. The results are particularly concerning for pregnant people and young children. However, these levels are well beyond what we are typically exposed to. Experts debate whether the same damage is done at lower amounts. Toxicology tests by officials suggest that the levels that most of us experience are within safe limits. However, many independent academic investigators have found adverse effects associated with the kind of exposure we currently experience, especially in the long term. In some cases, these health impacts occurred from doses significantly below the legal limits. 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.

�They are often slaughtered when only five days old! Because of their low value to the industry, bobby calves often suffer lower standards of housing, feeding, and cleanliness. Before being slaughtered, they can go up to 30 hours without being fed. 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

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 many cases these ingredients are harsh industrial chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer, allergies, birth defects and other health issues. 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).

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.

Conflict minerals are natural resources that have been mined and exported illegally from conflict zones. The most common are tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold (also known as 3TG), and cobalt. They are used in an array of products, particularly the electronic goods that make modern life so easy. This includes smartphones, computers, tablets, gaming devices, GPS, cameras, and whatever you are reading this from! Another common use for these materials is jewellery, with gold being the most obvious example. Unfortunately, conflict minerals contribute to a great deal of human suffering. That is because they fund violence, torture, and death in wars in the regions they are extracted from. 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.

Each ton of post-consumer-waste recycled paper saves 17 trees, 4,100kwh of energy and a whopping 26,000 litres of water. Presently there isn't a 100% post-consumer-waste recycled content white copy paper that is manufactured in Australia, so it's a trade off between paper imported from Europe, or buying a locally made product with a lower recycled content. Avoid imported, non-labelled, paper products. These are often from Asia and connected with illegal logging. 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.

Game developers commonly work 60-80, even up to 100 hours a week, typically during the months leading up to a game's release. Developers forced to crunch end up sacrificing weekends, time with their families, and their personal health in the process. Speaking up or refusing to do overtime can jeopardise current or future job opportunities. Japanese companies like Nintendo and Sega have significantly reduced crunch, but in western countries it remains a huge problem. A former Rockstar Games employee explained, "If you're really passionate about the game and working there, and want to prioritise that over your life, it's a really great place to work. But if you want to prioritise your life, it's not." In some cases overtime isn't paid, which has led to lawsuits. In 2006 Electronics Arts paid out US$30 million to settle two class action lawsuits that claimed the company underpaid its graphic artists and programmers for overtime. Rockstar Games settled a similar lawsuit in 2009 for US$2.75 million. Learn more at Game Workers Unite is calling for the game industry to be unionized. Learn more at

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.

In Australia, food labels use numbers between 100 and 999 to classify them. Despite what most people assume, there are plenty of natural additives. For example, additive 300 is vitamin C, 100 is turmeric, and 948 is oxygen! Additives have been used throughout history, such as calcium sulphate (516), a firming agent used in tofu for thousands of years. Food additives are regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), and all additives must get approval first. Many food additives approved for use in Australia are banned overseas. While the majority of food additives are considered safe, some have been associated with a range of food intolerance symptoms in some people. 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.

Food Miles are the distance food travels between production and consumption. The further the food moves, the more greenhouse gases produced by the boats, trucks, and other vehicles needed to transport this food. Many products or the ingredients in them have had to travel thousands of kilometres to end up on your supermarket shelf. Think of all the greenhouse gases emitted just to get one meal to your plate! You can cut down on your food miles by buying products made in Australia with Australian ingredients. The best way to do this is to buy from local independent grocers, farmers' markets, or directly from the Australian producer. If that's not possible, you can use the country of origin label, which is on most foods you find at the supermarket. Most food made in Australia will have a kangaroo logo and let you know what percentage of the ingredients is Australian. Food saying "Product of Australia" or "Grown in Australia" are made here using 100% Australian ingredients. You should aim for these products as much as possible.  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.

The wearing of furs has long been practised by humans to protect themselves from their environment or enact cultural rituals and practices. However, in today's world, fur production has mostly devolved into cruelly exploiting animals for a fashion statement. For example, producers have to end up to 50 animal lives just to produce one mink fur coat! Luckily, consumers and designers are starting to wake up to the ethical issues. While many fashion labels have gone fur free, there is still work to be done. The majority of fur comes from animals raised on fur farms. On these farms, minks, foxes, rabbits, and many more are kept in tiny cages with little room for movement or normal functioning. The quality of life is very low in these cages. 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.

Globally, farm animal production accounts for nearly one-fifth of human-created greenhouse gas emissions. 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.

As major supermarket chains give more shelf space to their own brand items, name brand products are squeezed off the shelves. This means less choice, both for customers, with the disappearance of familiar brands, and for Australian farmers and manufacturers, who often find that they must sell through the supermarkets' own brands. They are forced to compete with cheaper, often heavily subsidised, foreign imports. House brands encourage us to trust that 'cheap is best'. Their labels don't disclose the manufacturer, so consumers don't know whom their money is supporting. Best choice - choose Australian-owned brands with a positive or 'No Information' rating as preference over house brands. If buying a house brand, choose Product of Australia first, Made in Australia second. Avoid imports.

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

Leather commonly comes from cattle and calves, and from other animals slaughtered for meat such as horses, sheep, lambs, goats, and pigs. Wild animals are also hunted for their skins. Kangaroos can also be commercially shot purely for their skins in Western Australia and Queensland (skin-only commercial hunting is banned in other Australian jurisdictions). Other species hunted worldwide for their skins include zebras, boars, elephants, crocodiles, and lizards. Additionally, the modern process of tanning, involves toxic substances and pollutants. There are many alternatives to leather, including cotton, linen, rubber, ramie, canvas, and synthetics. See Alternatives to Leather at the Animals Australia Unleashed Faux Shopping Guide Look for polyurethane-based materials rather than PVC. PVC is not degradable, involves production using toxic additives and emits carcinogenic dioxin when incinerated.

The three main sources of microplastic in marine environments are: 1) consumer products such as cosmetics, 2) breakdown of larger plastic material, and 3) the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles by domestic clothes washing. To reduce the amount of microplastic getting into our waterways: Avoid personal care products containing polyethylene microbeads Avoid clothing made from synthetic fibres Keep plastics, such as plastic bags and bottles, out of waterways

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

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.

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

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.

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.

China imposed a limit to the export of rare earth minerals in 2009, citing the need to conserve a dwindling resource and limit environmental damage from mining. The United States and others challenged the quotas in 2012 in a WTO complaint, which was upheld in January 2015 with export restrictions dropped. Australia, the third largest producer of rare earth minerals, is responsible for 2.0% of world production and has 3.9% of the world's reserves. Further information on rare earth resources in Australia, including interactive map See 'Why We Need Rare Earth Elements' (a great introduction) See 'The Global Race for Rare Earths' See 'National Security, Rare Earth Elements'

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.

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.

Under the sandblasting process the denim is smoothed, shaped and cleaned by forcing abrasive particles across it at high speeds. This fashion however comes at a price: the health and even the lives of sandblasting workers. 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)

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)

Criticisms of the Woolworths/Coles duopoly include market dominance, squeezing suppliers, creeping acquisitions, predatory pricing, restrictive covenants, and building supermarkets in small towns despite local protests. Woolworths is Australia's largest supermarket operator, and NZ's second largest. After years of criticism for being Australia's largest owner of poker machines, Woolworths spun off its liquor retail and hotels businesses in 2021, leaving the poker machines business. Woolworths also operates over 150 Big W stores around Australia. Wesfarmers bought Coles Group in 2007 for $22 billion, but spun off the supermarket and liquor business in 2018. Wesfarmers kept Officeworks, Kmart and Target, which were part of Coles Group when it was acquired by Wesfarmers. Coles Group now owns Coles supermarkets; 1st Choice, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars liquor stores; Coles Express (with Shell) fuel & convenience stores. German-owned ALDI operates over 570 stores in Australia, accounting for 11% of supermarket sales. Most brands in store are ALDI owned. Over 80% of products are Australian made. 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

Factory managers typically push employees to work between 10 and 12 hours, sometimes 16 to 18 hours a day. A seven-day working week is becoming the norm during the peak season, particularly in China, despite limits placed by the law. WAGES. The majority of workers in the global fashion industry, rarely earn more than two dollars a day. Many have to work excessive hours for this meagre amount and struggle to properly feed, clothe and educate their families. The problem is complicated further when the millions of piece- rate workers and homeworkers within the industry are considered. When workers are paid by the number of garments they produce, rather than the number of hours they work, it becomes near-impossible to earn a living wage during a working week. Women in El Salvador are paid just 29 cents for each $140 Nike NBA jersey they sew. To pay them a living wage, they would earn 58 cents per shirts, 4/10ths of one percent of the retail cost of the shirt. Buy second-hand clothes, or support local clothing brands which are accredited by See the Simple Plan and MTV EXIT video for 'This Song Saved My Life' See 'Behind the Swoosh' documentary and more about the fight against Nike's sweatshops at www.teamsweat.org See the Ethical Fashion Report, published by the Behind the Barcode project.

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

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

Blowflys lay eggs in the skin of the sheep which hatch into larvae and feed on the sheep's tissue - resulting in the painful death of around 3 million sheep each year. Mulesing is a controversial practice, as it is done without anesthetic. 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