Spurred on by its success with bands such as REM and Keane and NGOs such as Oxfam and Make Poverty History, Sandbag is about to establish itself as a label in its own right.

The seed of Sandbag was sown 12 years ago, when its owners were running Radiohead’s fan service, w.a.s.t.e, from a living room. When the band couldn’t find a company offering socially accountable merchandise, they worked together to source their own materials and manufacturers and from that, Radiohead’s w.a.s.t.e Products was born.

Sandbag’s owners soon realised that other socially conscious musicians needed this assurance before they applied their name to a product; artists are often renowned for their high ethical standards and, ironically, are the first to be criticised if they fall short. After that, it was a natural progression that the company would attract the attention of charities and NGOs.

Sandbag works with independent auditors to ensure the factories and processes used to make all the clothing comply with the internationally recognised Ethical Trading Initiatives. It also adheres to Oxfam’s Ethical Purchasing Policy.

“The word ‘ethical’ has a different meaning to everyone, and so Sandbag caters to what other ethically aware people feel strongly about,” it says. “We offer a range of organic cotton shirts in fashionable styles, or for those want to benefit small traders, Fairtrade clothing is also on offer.”

Web: www.sandbag.uk.com or www.sandbag.biz

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