Every year in May we celebrate World Fair Trade Day. At Solid we use the term ‘celebrate’ because after many years of putting in the effort we are proud of the results we have already reached. On the other hand we do realise that more efforts are still necessary and World Fair Trade Day brings awareness to the fact that fair wages are not yet for everyone. This year the focus of World Fair Trade Day is on Climate Justice because we know that those living in poverty will probably suffer the consequences from climate change the most. 

Fair Trade and caring for our environment go hand in hand. With every project we make sure that both conditions are fulfilled. One of the projects that we are particularly proud of are the Tracey scarfs made of baby alpaca wool. The scarfs are handmade in Peru. The local government tries to ensure fair practices in companies and guarantee safety and welfare of alpacas. Solid’s project in Peru has obtained this high level sustainability label from the Peruvian government.

The alpaca wool industry is an important part of the Peruvian economy. For many women it is their livelihood and provides for a steady income. Alpacas live on great heights, areas where agriculture is impossible. Economically it is far more interesting to invest in crafts than farming in those areas. It is also more sustainable. Those mountains are the natural habitat for alpacas, so breeding them there is no burden for the local environment.

The end result of the long process from shaving til knitting, our Tracey scarfs, are fair and sustainable. Maybe that’s why it feels so good to wear them…