The controversy surrounding the sourcing of Anya Hindmarsh’s ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ from China highlights the complexities of producing ethical clothes and accessories. At every stage of the supply chain from fabric production to disposal of our clothes there are environmental and social costs to be considered. Anya Hindmarsh’s bag prompted people to think about an important issue, the number of plastic bags that we use, but the £5 bag, which sold in its thousands, was produced in China where independent trade unions are illegal. The right to form a trade union and negotiate for better working conditions is one of the international labour rights that all workers should enjoy.



Further information:

- Learn more about working conditions in China, factsheet 12a.

- Read Fashioning an Ethical Industry’s FAQ about sourcing ethical clothes and suppliers.