She says ethical investments are fast becoming mainstream as consumers pressure super funds to invest ethically.

Just recently, investment house AMP launched three ethical managed investment products, and the HESTA and UNISUPER super funds have also made direct investments in ethical funds. Several others have also implemented an ethical investment option to screen out companies involved in gambling, alcohol and mining.

Asking super funds where your money is going is the first step to responsible investing.

"They may refuse to tell you," Ms Sylvan says. "If they refuse, insist they put your money in ethical investments. And if they don't offer them, put pressure on them to give you that option. Most consumers don't want to support companies that are unethical. They want some sort of control back in their lives, particularly when it comes to their pension funds."

Ross Knowles, author of Ethical Investment (Choice Books), says ethical investment is about knowing where your money is going and being comfortable with that.

"You might be buying environmentally friendly products at the supermarket and recycling waste at home and in the office, yet your personal savings could be paying for the petrol in a woodchipper's chainsaw or supporting an arms factory," he says.

He says people have realised that ethical investments do provide good returns. "The opportunities for ethical investment have been steadily increasing as many people are now beginning to look for the ethical alternatives to investing in the major banks and managed funds. It's money that is working for a cleaner environment and a better society."

He says more than $1 billion was invested in Australian ethically managed funds in 1999.

Ms Sylvan, who is also president of Consumers International, says people who invest ethically can take further steps to protect the environment and consumer rights by boycotting companies that use unethical and exploitative practices.

Companies might move their manufacturing overseas where there is minimal protection for workers and the environment. This could include using child labor. "The corporate sector sees itself primarily responsible to the shareholders, it's all about the bottom line," she says. "But individuals can make themselves heard against companies that behaved irresponsibly here and overseas."

She says World Consumer Rights Day this year focused on corporate citizenship.