An Australian school located in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, has become the first school to purchase its uniforms made ethically in India.
The Hazelbrook Public School has taken this initiative by purchasing its uniform from Change Threads, a local company that focusses on ethical sourcing of garments.
The uniforms are made of cotton and polyester from plastic bottles.
"All of our garments are made in India from Organic and Fairtrade certified cotton. Our woven fabrics are blended with polyester made from recycled plastic bottles, providing an ethical supply chain and garments of exceptional quality," the Change Threads website states.
Change Threads partnered with Indian cotton farmers and clothes producers to create the polo shirts for students that are in accordance with international Fair Trade standards.
This means workers are paid a fair wage, long-term contracts are put in place, there is no forced or child labour and the materials are environmentally friendly.
Change Threads founder and mother of four, Anna Dohnt, was inspired to start the business after investigating the cotton supply and garment making industry in India.
“What I discovered as I ‘followed the thread’ of the cotton supply chain is that exploitation occurs at almost every stage of clothing production,” said Anna.
“Alarmingly, the clothing industry often involves forced labour, including child labour. To me, it is not okay that our children are wearing cotton everyday that is often produced by slaves. It’s not okay that my family is part of someone else's suffering.”
So Anna set up to start a business that offers school t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies and custom uniforms that are made from 100% Fairtrade certified and organic cotton, ensuring an ethical supply chain for the garments our children wear every day.
“If you stop and think about it, it’s outrageous that children in India are unable to go to school because they’re making school uniforms for kids in Australia wear to school,” said Anna.
Fairtrade Australia has put their support behind Change Threads.
“It’s really encouraging that companies like Change Threads are setting up viable businesses that are based on Fairtrade principles,” said Fairtrade Australia Director, Joe Blogs.
