RGRG dwells on the positives
Members of the UK-based Real Green Retail Group (RGRG) have spoken out about the effects the economic downtown has had on them and their hopes for the future.
Several members the (RGRG), which includes Greenfibres, Vintage Roots, Green People, Green Building Store, Graig Organic Farms, Ecology, Green Stationery Co, The Green Shop and Vinceremos, say the downturn has presented them with the opportunity to consider the future.
William Lana from Greenfibres, which makes garments from organic cotton, organic linen, hemp, organic wool and untreated silk and cotton, believes the slowdown will stimulate higher consumer consciousness. “Keeping-up-with-Jones at any cost has lead to resource depletion, disparities of wealth, and an unstable global economy,” he said. “We need to reinvent our cultural drivers. People don’t mind working hard if they feel the system is just; our system isn’t broken, but it could sure do with a major overhaul. Part of the responsibility lies with our elected leaders but we all know that real change will only come from the bottom up, and we—as consumers—are part of a massive Grassroots movement, we just don’t see ourselves as such yet. We need to buy fewer, better quality, more responsible products. Products which have histories to be proud of and which fulfil real needs.”
