How to add fair trade to your ecovacation

**THIS WAS TAKEN FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT ECOTROTTERS! CHECK OUT THEIR SITE FOR MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION!

http://www.ecotrotters.com/eco-articles-How-to-add-fair-trade-to-your-ecovacation/614269754f794558532f633d-article.html

When thinking of eco vacations, unspoiled natural environments and green hotels are what probably first comes to mind. However, eco holidays also entail a certain respect and concern for the local communities we are visiting. By directly supporting local communities as much as possible during our travels, we are contributing to the preservation and improvement of the area, and thus helping to create benefits for the locals as well as future travelers. But how can we support local communities during our travels? One simple, transparent way is by adding fair trade to our eco vacation.


Fair trade is an international certification program that aims to alleviate world poverty by empowering small producers and eliminating the middleman, supporting environmental sustainability in the process. Farmers and laborers in developing countries are more often than not paid extremely low wages that cannot cover their daily expenses. Through fair trade practices, however, wages paid must allow workers to at least cover the cost of sustainable production. By earning appropriate wages, producers may spend more, which helps the community as a whole. Workers also receive an added premium to promote the community’s economic growth. Working conditions are also improved through specific health and safety requirements that must be met.


Although fair trade leads to fair wages and better working conditions, it provides an added bonus- environmental protection and sustainability. Most fair trade products are organic, and those which are not usually follow specific production practices that are environmentally sustainable. For example, although the farm itself may not be certified as organic, chances are that the farmer will still be practicing organic farming techniques such as minimizing pesticides and herbicides. This leads to more natural crops and a reduction of the negative environmental impact resulting from human activity. And as consumers, we enjoy healthier, more delicious products.

Considering the obvious benefits of fair trade, then, we should try to participate in the process during our vacation. We can do this by thinking about where our money goes before buying anything. We must ask ourselves, was this piece of jewelry/craft/souvenir made by local artisans? Was this fruit/vegetable grown by local farmers? Buying from local artisans and producers, eating at local restaurants that buy from local producers, and staying at hotels that both employ locals and buy from locals are some simple ways of contributing to the fair trade ideal. Both at home and away, we can maintain the principles of fair trade by taking a look at what we buy. The easiest way to buy fair trade items is to look for the Fair Trade certified label. And we must remember- not only by participating in environmental projects or reducing our energy consumption are we helping the world become a better place.

SHOPPING VSJ STYLE!!

our main shopping district is on the streets of calle fortaleza and san francisco. here you can find just about anything! many stores offer nothing but local art, crafts, and souvenirs. the rest offer clothing, accessories, jewelry, electronics, just about anything you could want!

on the east side of the town (towards fort el morro) is a smaller shopping street called calle cristo. on christ street you can find the first three churches of old san juan, and just about every clothing designer there is! from tommy hilfiger to ralph lauren, guess, coach and puma, we have them all (or they have been through there at one time!). towards the top of the hill is custo barcelona, pachouli, spicy caribbee, and our favorite little store mi pequeño san juan.

MI PEQUENO SAN JUAN

sells hand-painted replicas of the san juan buildings. they also carry hand-made dolls and other gifts that make great keepsakes.

107 calle cristo
787-977-1636
ducart@yahoo.com
http://www.mipequenosanjuan.com/


CUSTO BARCELONA

hot street fashion clothing. The only thing better than the clothing and best dressed employees is the way they blast blondie through the streets. i’ll be there any day!

152 calle cristo
(787) 722-1212

PACHOULLI

the perfect store for a girl to be a girl. from local perfumes to beautiful sundresses and jewelry, I find a new treasure every time I walk in! definitely worth checking out.

152 calle cristo
(787) 725-3447

SPICY CARIBEE

life does not get better than this! a full store of vibrant smells, bright colors, and beautiful hand-made items. This sore carries many culinary surprises, with many salsas and jams, food items and kitchen accessories. a must see if you have a chef or food lover on your list.

154 calle cristo
(787) 725-4690


TOUCANTIK

beautiful furniture (big and small), along with gorgeous crafts made of cloth and wood. beautiful handbags and smaller gifts.

204 calle o’donnell
205 calle cruz
(787) 725-4231

TURQUESA

this is the house of gems, rocks, minerals and art. Not only is it an amazing collection of beautiful polished rocks and stones, gemstones from topaz to quartz, and great gifts, but there is also a workshop where they make jewelry and sell all the necessities. Watch a necklace being made, or sit and join the fun!

251 calle de san francisco
(787) 721-7972