Comments on: Sweatshop Free/Fair Trade Shopping http://one-change.com/blog/2009/01/sweatshop-freefair-trade-shopping/ making one change at a time Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:21:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Ariah Fine http://one-change.com/blog/2009/01/sweatshop-freefair-trade-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-76037 Ariah Fine Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:57:42 +0000 http://one-change.com/blog/?p=535#comment-76037 Kris, that's simply not true. Primarily GAP "outsources" their production, most big Multinational Corporations do, they think of it as a sly way to separate themselves from the sweatshops (that's why you almost always hear a spokesperson claim they had no idea their products were being made in sweatshops). So, even if some shops have been "unionized" or GAP placed better "standards" on their partnering companies, they still have done little to change their practices. It was only a year or two ago that it came to light that children were working in sweatshops in India making Baby Gap (RED) clothing. Children! They've got a long way to come. Back to the post, great list Mollie. As someone who also thinks it's important for these choices to be in reach of people from all economic classes, I choose and encourage others to choose to use thrift stores as often as possible. Many of the fair trade options are simply too expensive for many people. Second hand is a great alternative. Kris, that’s simply not true. Primarily GAP “outsources” their production, most big Multinational Corporations do, they think of it as a sly way to separate themselves from the sweatshops (that’s why you almost always hear a spokesperson claim they had no idea their products were being made in sweatshops). So, even if some shops have been “unionized” or GAP placed better “standards” on their partnering companies, they still have done little to change their practices. It was only a year or two ago that it came to light that children were working in sweatshops in India making Baby Gap (RED) clothing. Children! They’ve got a long way to come.

Back to the post, great list Mollie.
As someone who also thinks it’s important for these choices to be in reach of people from all economic classes, I choose and encourage others to choose to use thrift stores as often as possible. Many of the fair trade options are simply too expensive for many people. Second hand is a great alternative.

]]> By: Kathryn http://one-change.com/blog/2009/01/sweatshop-freefair-trade-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-75962 Kathryn Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:37:31 +0000 http://one-change.com/blog/?p=535#comment-75962 Thank you, this is great information. We have been looking to find better ways to not only support our local economy, but use our purchasing power for the better. With the spring coming, a lot more festivals take place. This is a great way to find local sellers or fair trade products from around the world. We find that there are always at least a few booths that will have handmade products produced by women in Africa/ SE Asia. They are often filled with cool jewelry ( I bought a necklace made from rolled magazine pages), purses made from rice bags, and tons of bead work. These women are not only paid for their products, but they are also using recycled materials to make them. The prices may be a bit higher, but think about where you want your money going. An important tip is to make sure you ask the seller where the money goes first, make sure it does go back to support these women. It is possible that some companies claim to support these women, but that may not always be the case. Just be careful. Thank you, this is great information. We have been looking to find better ways to not only support our local economy, but use our purchasing power for the better. With the spring coming, a lot more festivals take place. This is a great way to find local sellers or fair trade products from around the world. We find that there are always at least a few booths that will have handmade products produced by women in Africa/ SE Asia. They are often filled with cool jewelry ( I bought a necklace made from rolled magazine pages), purses made from rice bags, and tons of bead work. These women are not only paid for their products, but they are also using recycled materials to make them. The prices may be a bit higher, but think about where you want your money going. An important tip is to make sure you ask the seller where the money goes first, make sure it does go back to support these women. It is possible that some companies claim to support these women, but that may not always be the case. Just be careful.

]]> By: Kris http://one-change.com/blog/2009/01/sweatshop-freefair-trade-shopping/comment-page-1/#comment-75943 Kris Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:50:17 +0000 http://one-change.com/blog/?p=535#comment-75943 So, I heard a few years ago that GAP, Inc. unionized and was holding better practices. Has anyone else heard that? Quite possibly, their original practices were so poor that improving on them was still not doing much.......? So, I heard a few years ago that GAP, Inc. unionized and was holding better practices. Has anyone else heard that? Quite possibly, their original practices were so poor that improving on them was still not doing much…….?

]]>