'Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the world you want'.
These words of wisdom from sustainable food advocate Anna Lappé are at the core of an online business which has just been launched by 26-year-old Becky Wreford.
The East Runton resident said her website Nellybell would stock ethically sourced everyday goods including everything from reusable coffee cups to toothbrushes made of bamboo instead of plastic.
Ms Wreford, who graduated from a Retail Management degree at Bournemouth University in 2014, said she got an insight into the 'dark side of consumerism' after her studies and subsequent retail job in London.
She said: 'I found out about factories which make clothes for us Western consumers that have collapsed or burnt down because of our desire for masses of cheap goods.
'I found out about pesticides used to grow cotton for our goods that makes people blind. I found out about farming systems that trap Indian farmers into buying specific seeds which leads to bankruptcy and a huge proportion of suicides.
'Toxins that are used to make our leather goods which pollute people's waterways. Not to mention the plastic pollution of our environment, which thankfully has received a lot more attention recently.
'The things we choose to buy, or not to buy, can improve our relationship with the people who make the goods and reduce our negative impact on the environment.
'There are a plethora of brands who know little to nothing about where their products come from, and as a result the consumer has no idea about the journey of their goods.'
Ms Wreford, who went to school in Cromer and then Paston College, held a launch party for the venture at the University of East Anglia's Enterprise Centre on September 22.
She said she was excited about the possibilities of the website, which can be found at nellybell.co.uk
Ms Wreford added: 'The website will also sell a range of gifts that are not only beautiful and well-crafted, but that also have a positive impact to either our local community or that financially support and provide long-term sustainable work for individuals in developing communities.'
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