The Brief: Like many global companies, and especially those who have a direct impact on the environment, Rio Tinto have stringent new ‘green’ policies. For instance, all printed literature is printed using vegetable based inks onto sustainable, recycled paper stocks. In this case we were asked to source 800 polo shirts made from organically grown cotton and which could justifiably be called Fairtrade. Even the labels and strings should come from natural/recycled materials and adhere to the policy of Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Solution: Not only were we able to source these garments at a reasonable price (£11 each + VAT, including embroidery) but in deciding who to use to embroider them we came across an organization called the St George Foundation, whose principals – Philip Dean and his wife – have made it their quest to help orphans off the street and back into education in war-torn Sierra Leone. All the profits from the embroidery have gone to this charity. Check out www.adecentlife.org.

The Result: A win-win situation; Rio Tinto are delighted with their shirts and have ticked all the green boxes. We are happy to have helped by managing the whole project from sourcing, selection and production to delivery of the shirts to Rio Tinto’s premises. Philip Dean and St George Foundation have benefited from some well-deserved publicity and many children in Sierra Leone have their lives back. A good result all round.