Make It Count! How to Use This Guide & ICON Decoder
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over 100,000 copies sold www.ethical.org.au Your dollar is your vote – make it count!special features on toys, Meat, Beer, Beauty How to USE tHiS gUidE & IcoN DecoDeR Use the Contents BRAND compANy iCoN decoder or Index to find the ‘product type’ you SUNSCREEN Nanotechnology CoMPANY RATINgS are seeking. Auscreen 2 Ross Cosmetics praises, No criticismS Aquasun, Redwin PharmaCare Hamilton, Invisible Zinc 1, lesser praise, No criticismS Valeant Pharmaceuticals CAN Look in the left-hand Reef, UV Triplegard column to find the Cancer Council 2 Vitality Brands No infoRmatioN brand you usually buy. Sun Zapper 2 Sun Zapper Lesser criticismS Le Tan Heritage Brands CriticismS See the right-hand Nivea Beiersdorf (maxingvest) GER column for the Banana Boat Energizer USA BoyCott call related company Neutrogena Johnson & Johnson USA 1 nano & chemical free, 2 nano free Australian owned and parent company. Industry Alert Seek a best buy If there are concerns The right-hand columns considering company about an entire industry, contain the country of PRODUCt FEAtURES ownership / rating, you will see an industry ownership code and an OutStandiNg PRoduct and outstanding alert in the header bar for icon indicating the rating product features. that category. for a company. product oF australiA Visit our website www.ethical.org.au to give feedback to the companies on the choices you have made and why. iNtRodUCtioN With every dollar you spend you have an impact on the planet and its people Welcome to the fifth edition of The Guide to Ethical This completely updated edition includes special Supermarket Shopping. This handy pocket-sized guide features on cosmetics, toys, meat, and beer, while is designed to help you match your shopping habits with tracking the ever-increasing consolidation of company your values. Every time you shop in a supermarket, you can ownership. In 2011, for example, SABmiller bought make an informed decision about where your money goes. Fosters, Parmalat was sold to Lactalis, Asahi bought three local drinks companies, and Bright Food bought We live in a time of human rights abuse, animal cruelty, 75 per cent of Manassen. genetically modified foods and industry’s massive impact on the environment. These things can seem beyond our Both in the supermarket and beyond, we encourage control, but every time we buy something the money we you to be a part of the growing movement of people spend endorses a company and its activities. creating a better world with their everyday choices. We hope this guide, with its focus on the companies By avoiding companies with a negative track record and behind the brands, serves as a useful starting place instead buying products from companies that have a in helping you explore the issues connected with your positive impact, we can send a strong message for change everyday purchases. and support the practices that make our world a better place to live in. Visit our website at www.ethical.org.au for the specific details on company assessments. See our methodology companies need our money to stay in business — money INTR and assessment sources on pages 72 and 73. xxxxxxxxxxxx talks, and your dollar literally is your vote. o Every time you go shopping, make a difference: DUCTI make your dollar count! o N 11 2 C Other Baking 15 frozen 40 Skin Care 54 o CoNtentS Pasta 14 Frozen Desserts/Fruit 40 personal Care — Body Care 56 NTENTS Pudding 14 Frozen Fish 40 Bodywash/Shower Gel 56 Rice 14 Frozen Meals/Pizza 40 Dental Care 56 iNFoRMAtioN Sugar 15 Frozen Pastry 40 Deodorant 57 How to Use Inside Cover Sweeteners 15 Frozen Savouries 40 Feminine Hygiene 57 Introduction 01 Bread, Spreads & Cereal 16 Frozen Vegies/Chips 41 Hair Removal 57 Contents 02 Bread 16 Pies & Pasties 41 Hand Wash 58 Principles 04 Cakes 16 Health foods 42 Shavers 58 Beyond the Supermarket 05 Cereal 16 Health Bars 42 Shaving Gel/Foam 59 Supermarkets 06 Chocolate Spread 16 Health Foods 43 Soap 59 Criticisms 08 Flat Bread 16 Protein Bars 43 Sunscreen 58 Centrespread 38 Honey 17 Vitamins 42 Tissues 59 Glossary 71 Jam 17 Weight Loss 43 Toilet Paper 59 Campaigns 71 Muesli & Oats 18 Household — Cleaning 44 personal Care — medicinal 60 Country Codes 71 Muesli Bars 18 Bathroom Cleaners 44 Antiseptic 60 Methodology 72 Peanut Butter 19 Carpet & Floor Cleaners 44 Balm 60 Industry Alert 72 Spreads (Other) 19 Dishwashing Detergent 45 Bandages 60 Assessment Sources 73 Yeast Spread 19 Disinfectant 45 Cold & Flu 61 About Us 74 Canned & Easy 20 Drain Cleaners 45 Condoms & Lubricants 61 Limitations/Disclaimer 75 Baked Beans/Spaghetti 20 Gloves 44 Digestive Care 61 Index 76 Canned Fish 20 Kitchen & Oven Cleaners 44 Eye & Ear Care 60 Canned Fish (Tuna) 21 Multi-Purpose Cleaners 44 Laxatives 60 iSSUES Canned Fruit 21 Scourers, Sponges & Wipes 45 Lip Care 60 Animal Products 50 Canned Meat/Meals 21 Toilet Cleaners 45 Medicinal Oils 61 Animal Testing 55 Canned Vegies/Beans 22 Household — Laundry 46 Pain Relief 61 Bobby Calves 28 Chilled Meals 22 Fabric Softener 46 Smoking Aids 61 Bottled Water 33 Packet Meals 23 Laundry Detergent 46 pet 62 BPA 33 Soup (Canned) 23 Prewash & Soaker 46 Cat Food 62 Chemicals in Cosmetics 52 Soup (Packet) 23 Starch 46 Cat Litter 62 Child Labour & Chocolate 69 Dairy & Soy 24 Wool Wash 46 Dog Food 63 Coffee 36 Butter 24 Household — Variety 48 Dog Treats 63 Country of Origin Labelling 24 Cheese 24 Air Fresheners 48 Pet Care 63 Factory Farming 51 Cottage Cheese 25 Batteries 48 Pet Food (Chilled) 63 Feedlots 50 Food Miles 17 Cream 25 Foil/Cling Wrap/Bags 48 Pet Food (Other) 63 Free Range Eggs 12 Custard 25 Garden Care 49 Sauces & International 64 Genetic Engineering 18 Dessert 26 Hosiery 49 Asian 64 Labels You Can Trust 62 Dips 26 Light Globes 49 Condiments 65 Multinational Monopoly 41 Flavoured Milk 26 Lighters & Matches 49 Indian 64 Nanotechnology 58 Ice Cream 26 Paper Towels 48 Mexican 64 Organics 14 Margarine 27 Pest Control 48 Noodles 64 Overfishing 20 Milk 28 Shoe Care 48 Pasta Sauce 65 Packaging & Waste 22 Soy Milk 29 Stationery 49 Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise 66 Palm Oil 27 Soy (Other) 29 Underwear & Socks 49 Sauces 66 Recycled Paper 59 Tofu 28 meat 50 Soy Sauce 67 Tampons & Toxins 57 Vegetarian 28 Beef 50 Topping & Syrup 67 Toys & China 11 Yoghurt 29 Poultry 51 Vinegar 67 Who Controls Our Beef? 51 Drinks — Beer 30 Smallgoods/Pork 50 Snacks 68 Who's Big in Beer? 30 Beer 30 personal Care Biscuits/Crackers 68 Cider 30 — Beauty & Hair 52 Chips/Crisps 68 PRodUCt tABlES Ready-To-Drink 31 Cosmetics 52 Chocolate 68 Baby & Toys 10 Drinks — Cold 32 Hair Colour 53 Confectionery 70 Baby Food 10 Bottled Water 32 Hair Styling 53 Corn/Rice Cakes 70 Baby Formula 10 Coconut Water 32 Nail Care 53 Lozenges, Mints & Gum 70 Baby Toiletries 10 Cordial 32 Shampoo 54 Popcorn 70 Baby Wipes 11 Energy Drinks 32 Nappies 11 Enhanced Water 33 Toys 10 Iced Tea 33 Baking & Cooking 12 Juice & Fruit Drinks 34 Cake Mix 12 Mineral Water 35 Cooking Oil 12 Non-Alcoholic 34 Crushed Garlic & Ginger 13 Soft Drinks 34 Dried Fruit & Nuts 13 Sports Drinks 35 Eggs 12 Drinks — Hot 36 C Flour & Bread Mix 13 Coffee 36 o Gravy & Stock 13 Powdered Drinks 37 NTENTS Herbs & Spices 14 Tea 36 Olive Oil 15 3 4 p RINCI 5 to guide a more sustainable purchase PRiNCiPlES p LES 1. EVERY PURCHASE MAKES AN iMPACt Remember, your choice makes a difference. For most of us, most of the time, cost and convenience are the 2. ASK, "DO i NEEd IT?" main reasons for our shopping choices. These aren’t Avoid unnecessary consumption. About 80 per cent of bad reasons, but they don’t reflect the true cost of our products are discarded after a single use. How you buy will purchases to the environment and people. influence directly what you buy so it is important to think about the way you spend money. Make a preferred 3. lEARN ABoUt tHE iSSUES shopping list and keep to it. Take on one issue at a time so you’re not overwhelmed. Start with the products that you buy most frequently. See the 4. SEEK oUt A BESt BUY centerfold chart for some issues connected Ask, “What do I value?”. There are no right to common products. or wrong purchasing decisions. What you value will determine the criteria you see 5. MAKE lASTINg CHANg E as most important. Prioritise your values celebrate good choices, create good habits! knowing you’ll have to make tradeoffs. You might once you’ve found a best buy, remember it and move decide to buy local over organic, or choose to buy onto the next product. Share your discoveries. Let the with minimal packaging over companies with a poor related companies know, via letter or email, of the choices track record. you have made. BEYoNd tHE SUPERMARKEt Although this guide helps you to make better choices in 1. Grow your own the supermarket, often the best choices aren’t available best to worst farmers' markets in the supermarket at all. 2. 3. food co-ops Around the world today, people are creating a fantastic 4. Wholefood stores future for healthier communities and a healthier planet, Independent grocers through sustainable food production. This includes fair 5. trade, organic and community-supported agriculture, (like IGA, foodworks) farmers' markets, local food co-ops, backyard food 6. o ther supermarkets growing, and the slow food movement. (like Coles, Woolworths, ALDI) It’s a stark contrast to the modern agri-business system, » Buy in bulk at a food co-op in your area which delivers the food to supermarket and fast food chains.