Fairtrade Hackney funds its first Elephant pump
Hackney is the first council in London to fund an Elephant pump in southern rural Africa through buying Thirsty Planet water. The pump is to be constructed in Mthwalo, in Mopho Jere district, Malawi, giving the community access to a constant supply of clean water.
The council has been buying Thirsty Planet water for the last two years.
Cllr Sophie Linden, cabinet member for sustainability, said: “Hackney Council is committed to sustainability not only in the borough but also in the way the Council is run. This is an example of what can be done when organisations choose to buy goods from responsible sources.”
Hackney became a Fairtrade borough last summer, after a two-year local campaign masterminded by the Hackney Fairtrade Group – a partnership of more than 60 residents, business people, and councillors. All tea, coffee, sugar and fruit juices provided at meetings are supplied by Fairtrade sources.
As a result, many local schools, businesses, religious and community groups have all signed up to the principle of only buying ethically responsible goods.
Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrands, which owns Thirsty Planet, commented: “The support that Hackney Council is giving to Pump Aid is tremendous.
“Simply by choosing Thirsty Planet it is helping improve day-to-day living and even save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.”