consumers

products that make a difference

The value proposition of United Pepper is Design, Green and Fair Trade. We are committed to high quality products and customer satisfaction.

consumer

corporate customers

corporate social responsibility

United Pepper proposes purchase of our standard portfolio, re-branding our products with your logo and corporate colors, and custom design.

corporate

united pepper partners

ecosystem building

United Pepper invites you to reach out and join us in creating a powerful green business ecosystem and virtual green community.

partner

Why Green? Why Fair Trade?

  • Ask yourself the question: where do YOU go if you want to purchase environmentally sound technology products?
    There can be no doubt left in any ones mind that today’s world is at an inflexion point with regards to the use of its natural resources. Since humanity has entered the industrial age in the 1800’s, it has started to use energy sources like coal, petroleum and gas. Before, when wood and other energy sources were used, the mere fact that they could be replenished naturally resulted in a sustainable cycle. Coal, petroleum and gas, however, cannot be replenished fast or easily. Oil reserves are estimated to be depleted between 2050 and 2075, while coal will last until 2100 - 2125 (different estimates depending on the source). There is a general consensus among scientists that the rise of global temperature will be anywhere between 2 - 6° C this century, resulting in a rise of the sea level of 1 to 7 meters. Predictions indicate that al of this will result in draught, famine, flooding and wars, specifically in the southern hemisphere. With the growth of mankind, we have come to realize, in the beginning of this century more than ever before, that our way of life should change drastically if humanity wants to uphold its way of life and its progress.

    Pioneers and alternative organizations have been stating this for many years and have started Fair Trade and Green Trade a long time ago. Today, Green Trade and Fair Trade are on the verge of becoming mainstream, being accepted by a fast growing community of consumers with a conscience. In 2008, a year that is known as the year of the financial crisis, Fair Trade volume alone grew an impressive 22% year over year.

    When we look at the customer, sometimes referred to somewhat condescendingly as Joe Sixpack, there is not much that he can do but save energy and buy products that are ecologically sound. In the case of electronics and PC peripherals, the availability of ecologically sound products is fairly limited today. Not only do we see a limited choice of Green materials compared to the abundance of plastics, but there are limited engineering solutions for post usage recycling. Additionally, there is a substantial impact of todays manufacturing, transport and packaging on the environment. Lastly, outsourcing of manufacturing to developing countries is usually cost motivated, and does not necessarily have the development of the southern hemisphere as a driver.
  • Products that make a difference.
    When United Pepper was founded, its goal was to bring to market attractively designed and innovative technology products. These products need to represent a significant improvement with regards to their ecological footprint compared to traditional products.

    Additionally, the customer needs to be offered the choice to acquire Fair Trade labeled products, making sure this way that the distribution of wealth between the north and the south is addressed in both an acceptable and accepted manner.

    Traditionally, products that are sustainable and Fair Trade are situated in the basic necessities part of the Maslow pyramid. They are food and textile related and help the farming community of the south to develop in a responsible manner. Designer products, on the other hand, are mostly situated in the luxury consumer segment and it has not been broadly accepted by the designer community yet to engage in the use of natural products or Fair Trade certification. The design and manufacturing of electronics products has not been able to fully adapt to the future need of sustainable production and environmentally sound products. United Pepper ‘s value proposition is smart, attractive design, using recyclable materials and Fair Trade certification.

    If and where possible, United Pepper will always work with suppliers that respect Fair Trade principles. However, Fair Trade certification of technology products is still in its infancy at this stage, and in some countries and for some components we trust our partners to comply to Fair Trade principles.

documentation

Traidcraft certification
United Pepper is the first company that was Fair Trade certified with regards to products in the electronics arena. The certification was executed by Traidcraft, an acknowledged labeling organization in 2007 after a thorough investigation of the labor conditions of the employees and business agreements with our partners in the manufacturing plant in Vietnam.


reference materials
In this section you can find some of the reference materials that we are happy to put at your disposal.