We just love recycled products at Harrogate Fair Trade! With some products it’s impossible to tell until you read the label, while others wear their recycled heart on their sleeve. Zuri Design cards, made in Uganda from locally sourced pineapple tops, elephant grass and banana fibre, are definitely one of those. The paper is wonderfully textured, with traces of the plants it was made from still clearly visible. Designs are printed on the paper and off cuts of colourful chitenge cloth are used to add highlights.

Zuri Design works with Paper Craft in Uganda to bring us this earthy and vibrant card collection. Paper Craft was set up as a co-operative 20 years ago to provide work for socially and economically disadvantaged people, and it now provides work for 50 in a purpose built workshop. Most of the workers are women and some are single mothers, for whom it can be difficult to find a job and support their families at the same time. At Paper Craft they can work around their family commitments and even bring their youngest children to work. 

Paper Craft is a great example of how Fair Trade is about so much more than just fair pay and good working conditions. Number One of the WFTO’s* 10 Principles of Fair Trade is “Creating Opportunities for Economically Marginalised Producers”. This means starting businesses where there is most need, helping people overcome social and personal barriers to accessing work, and supporting them to stay in work, for example with flexible working and childcare. Through longstanding partnerships such as with Zuri Design, Paper Craft has become a stable and successful business and enabled many workers to lift themselves out of poverty.

Sending a card is a great way to show you care. Next time wear your ethical heart on your sleeve and give someone a card that makes brilliant use of waste and changes lives at the same time. 

*World Fair Trade Organisation