Your ethical dilemmas solved

Paul Dicken gives some handy tips on how to solve those ethical shopping dilemmas.

''The common-room vending machine is full of products from a brand I’d rather avoid.'' ''There are now at least 101 ethical brands according to New Consumer magazine.'' ''www.oxfamunwrapped.com - an option that no one can argue with.''

"I get hungry for snacks but the common-room vending machine is full of products from a brand I’d rather avoid. I wonder at this point whether I’ve taken ethical living a bit too far." Sarah Blustonator, London

Well, in my opinion, you haven't. Obviously, if blood-sugar levels are dangerously low, your resolve might break momentarily, but as with all good ethical dilemmas there is a solution.

Fist of all, find out who stocks the machine in question. With this information, make good use of an hour by pointing out, in writing, the failings of the offending brand. In your letter, highlight (politely) the lack of choice on offer, and how this is unacceptable when the market is bubbling over with fair trade food. You can mention the fact that 70 ethical food products were launched in Britain last year, and that fair trade products are likely to be a £230m market by the end of 2006.

If you're feeling up to chatting with your peers and superiors, try to gather as much support as possible. The whole process will open up channels with other people who care, and the people who can change things directly.

"My girlfriend has a penchant for uncontrollably shopping for clothes, regardless of how they were made. How can I help her clean up this potentially messy act?" Ben Badger, Swindon

The fashion industry has been slow to awaken to the world of responsible consumerism, but that is no excuse. The number of companies selling branded or fairly sourced goods is increasing, and even the big high-street names are getting the message. Despite this, fashion conscious people would do well to keep-a-pace by only buying ethical goods.

There are now at least 101 ethical brands according to New Consumer magazine. This includes One World Uniforms - a company which sources school uniforms from India and Sri Lanka, and then returns a share of profits to the communities.

Unfortunately, not all club nights have a school uniform theme, so a trip to Oxford Street's Topshop should sort the rest out. This popular fashion store has an entire section dedicated to the fair trade fashion company People Tree.

Other big names are also dabbling with responsibility. Levi's is soon to launch an organic denim range, and Marks and Spencers has responded to consumer demand by producing fair trade jeans and, shortly, shirts. However, letting brands know why you might be taking your shopping budget elsewhere is the only way to aid wholesale change on the high street.

"My family has threatened to ignore me in public and erase me from any wills if I continue to give them homemade gifts. What can I do?" David Danger, Bath

The easy answer would be to feign that all the gifts and cards you give are actually brought from small-time traders at the local market – remember that supporting local trade is also ethical. Alternatively, remind all your family members individually that the money you save is diverted straight to your preferred charity via direct debit.

If all of these fail, enrol on a handicrafts course, or slide over to www.oxfamunwrapped.com - an option that no one can argue with.