2008 Woodie Awards
Shopping With Responsibilty
Daisy Ratzlaff
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Lifestyle
Many of us engage in it, either to cope with stress, to stock up on items, or to spend some time with family members or friends. Shopping is easy and can be traced back to many civilizations in history. In ancient Rome, there were indoor and outdoor markets that served as retailing units and the shopping list is known to be used and introduced by Romans as well.
It does not matter if you either consider shopping a leisure activity or just an economic necessity; it is an activity in which one visits a variety of stores in search of a suitable product to purchase. Many times, shoppers go through great length of waiting times just to buy a popular product, such as holiday shoppers. But do you actually know what you are buying when you pick out that shirt at your favorite store?
Co-op America: Economic Action for a Just Planet has made it their responsibility to inform consumers and businesses alike how "to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society," according to coopamerica.org. Being a not-for-profit membership organization, which was founded in 1982, Co-op America works for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth us preserved for all the generations to come, according to coopamerica.org.
By listing businesses, such as clothing stores, anyone is able to learn about another company's diversity measures, working conditions, worker wages, labor violations and sustainable alternatives. For example, typing in 'Gap' as a search brings up a little textbox that describes Gap, as "having used its popularity to promote pro-diversity measures and encourage community involvement, and the company is now an EPA Climate Leader." But it also tells the consumer about Gap's labor abuses, such as "mandatory and unpaid overtime work; sub-poverty wages; [and] unhealthy working conditions," according to coopamerica.org.
Typing in Abercrombie & Fitch as another search brings up words such as irresponsible product design, violations of international labor standards, offensiveness against women, children and minorities.
So, next time you pick out a pair of pants you should ask yourself if your favorite store really supports social justice and a healthy environment. Abusive practices in regards to working conditions and worker treatment are important to consider. I bet you will be amazed what how well some companies support the environment and how others do not.
It does not matter if you either consider shopping a leisure activity or just an economic necessity; it is an activity in which one visits a variety of stores in search of a suitable product to purchase. Many times, shoppers go through great length of waiting times just to buy a popular product, such as holiday shoppers. But do you actually know what you are buying when you pick out that shirt at your favorite store?
Co-op America: Economic Action for a Just Planet has made it their responsibility to inform consumers and businesses alike how "to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society," according to coopamerica.org. Being a not-for-profit membership organization, which was founded in 1982, Co-op America works for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth us preserved for all the generations to come, according to coopamerica.org.
By listing businesses, such as clothing stores, anyone is able to learn about another company's diversity measures, working conditions, worker wages, labor violations and sustainable alternatives. For example, typing in 'Gap' as a search brings up a little textbox that describes Gap, as "having used its popularity to promote pro-diversity measures and encourage community involvement, and the company is now an EPA Climate Leader." But it also tells the consumer about Gap's labor abuses, such as "mandatory and unpaid overtime work; sub-poverty wages; [and] unhealthy working conditions," according to coopamerica.org.
Typing in Abercrombie & Fitch as another search brings up words such as irresponsible product design, violations of international labor standards, offensiveness against women, children and minorities.
So, next time you pick out a pair of pants you should ask yourself if your favorite store really supports social justice and a healthy environment. Abusive practices in regards to working conditions and worker treatment are important to consider. I bet you will be amazed what how well some companies support the environment and how others do not.
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