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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

After the Uggs thread I'm seriously thinking....

AdviceSeeker13702

1100

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 08:31

I should stop buying any products manufactured or made in China. But how can you actually do this? It is so hard to read labels and distinguish what has actually been made in china etc.

I feel really strongly about animal rights and that story has just really hit a nerve... I know it isn't much, but at least if I do my part not to spend my money on products that may be produced somewhere that potentially harm animals/people and have no regulations then at least I can make a small difference.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

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993

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 23:07

People started buying Chinese products because they are cheaper but what you save on products when shopping you pay for indirectly in other ways for example, increased unemployment, higher benefit bills, social upset, as all the manufacturing jobs have gone to China. It's disgraceful really that our politicians have allowed this to happen. No point blaming politicians. Businesses wanted to outsource, and when people would protest they would be called protectionists and even communists.

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 22:49

I saw that story about the racoon dogs in the DM but could not bear to read it. There have been several high profile cases about severe animal cruelty and abuse in China. I've never trusted Chinese food. Just yesterday I was talking to the children about how nearly everything these days is made in China and how bad it is for developed countries. Very few western countries have major manufacturing facilities left and that's really quite scary. People started buying Chinese products because they are cheaper but what you save on products when shopping you pay for indirectly in other ways for example, increased unemployment, higher benefit bills, social upset, as all the manufacturing jobs have gone to China. It's disgraceful really that our politicians have allowed this to happen.

AdviceSeeker13702

1100

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 21:24

Cyclone T, I'm joining your challenge! Just a thought, maybe we could post here and let fellow EW'er know which products we have sucessfully found an alternative for? A drop in the ocean, yes - but it's a start. We met a wonderful couple on our honeymoon in Maldives, they were living in India and the time and they had sucessfully managed 2 years of avoiding "made in china". I think that would be great! It would definitely be helpful to see what others are buying NOT made in china. <em>edited by AdviceSeeker on 05/10/2011</em>

927

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 16:18

There was a report on Sky News a few days ago about fake goods in China - they even go to the trouble of making fake eggs to sell -WTH?? Dont even want to think about what would be in them after the baby milk saga. Since that baby milk saga I have tried to avoid any food sourced from China but it is difficult. I bought some frozen fish is Spinneys - prawns -that to all intents and purposes were of Spanish origin - but when you read all the details on the label it is just repackaged in Spain - it's origin is China, which I only noticed after I bought them. When I defrosted them they stank to high heaven so went staright in the bin.

350

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 15:44

A drop in the ocean, yes - but it's a start. every drop counts to fill the ocean! I'm sure the first people who started campaining against child labour thought the same and now some big companies actually check their factories to make sure no child labour is being used and that only happened because people cared. The hardest I find is toys. I don't really want to buy DS products made in China (especially after the scares recently, lead paint and the rest) but it's getting really hard to find some! We always try and avoid food products made in China and have a few times put frozen fish back in the freezer because of it. I just don't trust it!

730

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 14:09

Cyclone T, I'm joining your challenge! Just a thought, maybe we could post here and let fellow EW'er know which products we have sucessfully found an alternative for? A drop in the ocean, yes - but it's a start. We met a wonderful couple on our honeymoon in Maldives, they were living in India and the time and they had sucessfully managed 2 years of avoiding "made in china".

477

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 13:21

thanks newbiedoha, i found it on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Year-Without-Made-China-Adventure/dp/0470116137 have ordered it and will read it. just had a chat with dh and he is in on cyclone's suggestion. we're having a massive get-together this weekend and i will spread the word there too.

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 13:01

A few years back i read an interesting book about a US familly living one whole year without buying anything made in China. Forgot the exact tiltle but its something close to: "living without Made in China", google it for the exact title. I think you guys will love it :)

124

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 12:47

Have a google muurtje, there are quite a few places that only use leather sourced from animals that have died naturally. Also there are firms that only use animal free products, google "Vegetarian Shoes".

833

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 12:19

Slightly side tracked, but I wish there was something such as free range leather and fur. Where the animals are treated well and get to live a happy life. Totally agree that it is so difficult to avoid China, or products from China. Will give cyclone T's suggestion a go. Already try to avoid their food products especially things like Tuna...

AdviceSeeker13702

1100

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 12:02

I am definitely going to give this a go myself, and thats a great suggestions Cyclone T!! I will start with one product, and then hopefully educate myself on other things as I go along.... I know I alone won't make a difference, but hopefully more and more people will take a stand and choose not to support products that exploit animals and people then maybe one day we can make a difference. I do think western governments should take more of an interest in helping us make our choices in regards to labeling etc....

584

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 10:34

Reason why I refuse to buy any sort of furniture and household decor in the malls here its a rip off and of course made in China and you can find exact at dragonmart...

45

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 10:16

Great suggestion Cyclone T, I feel overwhelmed by Chinese products. Not sure if this only applies to food products but if the barcode begins with 690,691 or 692 the product is from China. Please report back if anyone has success with this boycott mission!

130

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 10:10

Lost on Planet China: One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation by J. Maarten Troost . This is a funny (and tragic) exploration of modern China. I never want to go there. His other books are great and not as depressing. (Depressing in that there is a nation full of so many people with so little regard for nature and the environment. But the book itself is funny and well written.) <em>edited by Aleta on 05/10/2011</em>

317

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:46

I'm avoiding all Apple products at all costs, mainly because I am disgusted that a large American company with substantial influence is choosing to turn a blind eye to atrocities commited by their Chinese supplier. I think that if everyone stopped buying ipads or iphones, it would make both Apple and the Chinese government sit up and take notice. That however, would never happen because it seems that everyone I know nowadays own an Iphone (including DH).

624

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:40

I share your concerns about this. China is a place I will never visit on holiday because of its abysmal animal (and human) rights track record, and I will never consider chinese medicine because of the dubious nature of its provenance. My frustration is that it won't make any difference at all! I hardly think that the Chinese government will care whether I visit them or not as there's plenty more people out there who will! But count me in on cyclone T's suggestion.

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:30

Let's hope so. SO many things are made there, though! I like the idea of picking one thing we buy regularly. I'm going to try that, thanks.

1579

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:26

I think that small choices can help. While individually it can seems impossible to have an impact collectively we can. If we all chose to not buy from China just one item we purchase regularly eg. kitchen sponge, paper towels, light bulbs etc. the effect would be millions of instances. IMO it is worth taking the time to put something back on the shelf and look for an alternative.

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:22

That's what's so frustratingly hard about the whole situation. What on earth can we do that will have enough effect to stop them doing things like that? No big companies are going to say, "Hey, your treatment of animals is nothing short of appalling. We're not going to give your our business any more." If they did, perhaps those in China who commit such atrocities against animals might be forced to sit up and take notice but I just can't see that happening, especially in this economic climate. Personally I'd like to go over there with a wide range of mediaeval torture devices to use on them and see how they like it.

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:07

I think it's near impossible to find products that arent made in china!! I think the whole world is now made in china. A bit scary really

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