Although I do not play a lot of (okay, I play none) sports myself, I know that Fair Trade Sports' [1] equipment would sure have been nice when I was younger, since my brother went through quite a few conventional balls every year. Fair Trade Sports is run by Teamsugar user FairTradeSports [2]. The company offers fair-trade sports balls and other equipment (like frisbees and water bottles) as well as sweatshop-free athletic clothing. My Posting on what Fair Trade is [3]
Here's a bit about the company from their website:
Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in the US to launch a full line of Fair Trade sports balls, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for our adult workers. Be sure to also check out our sweatshop-free apparel.
We are committed to donate all profits after taxes to children's charities, both domestic and international. Sound familiar? It's a similar idea to the one behind the Newman's Own brand you see in the grocery store.
We expect to reach profitability in late 2007. Until then, we are donating $1000 annually to charities, which benefit at-risk children worldwide.
Environmental impact of sports balls
Here's a quick primer on sports balls, the materials of which they are made, and their environmental impact.
I'd suggest grabbing a hot cup of your favorite Fair Trade tea and then continuing to read below...
Sports balls consist of three main components:
The outer shell (synthetic leather ~30%)
The inner air bladder (rubber ~70%)
The dyes ( Here are just a few of their excellent products:
*In addition to these balls being great because they are fair-trade and from a good company, they are also animal-free which is really appealing to me! If I am ever in need of a sports ball I know where I'll be getting mine from.