Organic & Fairtrade

Billington’s believes that adding more value locally, in the country of origin – and not in a refinery elsewhere – can make a real difference to cane growers, sugar producers and their communities.

Billington’s Fairtrade sugars come from Africa – a Fairtrade premium is paid directly to co-operatives, including the Kasinthusla Cane Growers Cooperative in Malawi and the Kaleya Cane Growers Co-operative in Zambia.

Billington’s led the way bringing a range of organic unrefined sugars to the UK. All Billington’s organic sugars are certified by the Soil Association.

Twinings North America new organic and Fairtrade range.

In addition to Twinings’ membership of the Ethical Tea Partnership, we also work with the certification schemes, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade on different parts of our portfolio.

In January 2010, Twinings Everyday, one of our highest selling blends in the UK, began including teas from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. By autumn 2010 Everyday will contain 50% certified tea.

The Rainforest Alliance works to improve both the lives of the tea workers and the environment in which they live. This is done by ensuring workers are paid a decent wage and have good working conditions. Rainforest Alliance Certified™ tea estates also follow good farming practices; protecting forest, rivers, soil and wildlife. More information can be found at www.rainforest-alliance.org

In summer 2010, Twinings North America introduced an organic and Fairtrade range of black, green and herbal teas in the natural food sector.