June 30, 2010
Gift catalogues offering responsible and solidarity products
The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain have included more responsible solidarity products in their gift catalogues.
he initiative originates from the Netherlands, which has been offering various responsible products in its Tintelingen catalogue since 2007: fair trade products (Max Havelaar textile range); organic agricultural products (organic wines); eco-friendly products (energy-saving).
To help users identify these products, the Earth Guest logo has been included on every page of the catalogue where these products appear. A solidarity section also allows the users to donate the value of their gift to a good cause.
“In the Netherlands, it is crucial for us to offer a responsible and solidarity range of products not just to meet the expectations of our users, but also to meet government demands that all service providers supply products that are 100% sustainable. Since the government is a major Tintelingen customer, it has set itself the objective of having a range of products that are 100% sustainable.” Carl Winters, managing director of Accor Services Netherlands.
Edenred in Belgium has of course followed suit with its Tintello catalogue and offers its responsible and solidarity range on the Belgium market.
In 2009, Edenred in Spain responded by offering a basket of fair trade products inside its Delicard gift catalogue. Users can also choose to donate their gift to Action Against Hunger, a long-time partner of Edenred in Spain.
In France, users of the Elite catalogue can also identify products that have a better environmental performance thanks to a special pictogram.
A range of responsible and solidarity products is in the process of been developed.
