Guide to Ethical Consumerism

**Currently Under Construction. Check back for Updates!**
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The Gap, Inc. (http://www.gap.com/)
Pros:
  1. Gap (Red) Products: 50% of the proceeds from all Gap (PRODUCT) Red sales go to the Global Fund, which helps women and children with HIV/AIDS in Africa.
  2. Supply Chain Reform Goals: Since coming under heavy criticism for accusations of child labor in some of Gap's overseas factories in the late 1990s and early 200s, Gap has developed goals to reform its supply chain. In 2007, Gap established a database to collect and report on human rights data in its supply chain. In 2008, they worked to increase dialogue and collaboration between suppliers and trade unions in select countries where their products are made.  Also in 2008, they published their updated Code of Vendor Conduct. In 2009, they started a pilot supply chain traceability system, which is still in progress. Three core goals they are still working on relate to working more closely with their suppliers to protect human rights.
  3. Prohibition on Uzbek Cotton: In response to continued forced child labor in the harvesting of cotton in Uzbekistan, Gap has prohibited its vendors and mills from knowingly sourcing Uzbek cotton. Gap is also working with other stakeholders to pressure the Uzbek government to change its policies on child labor and exploitation.
  4. ILO/IFC "Better Work" Program: For more than a decade, Gap has participated in this international collaborative initiative to improve working conditions in garment factories. Better Work tells the story of what it takes to create scalable impact. In Cambodia, Gap took the opportunity (in addition to monitoring) to move into training and capacity building – which helps factories develop their own systems to improve working conditions. Together with local NGOs, Gap developed a training program in Cambodia that later evolved into a bigger collaboration between Gap Inc. and the IFC. Capacity building was eventually incorporated into the Better Work model, and the IFC joined forces with the ILO to help expand Better Work beyond Cambodia. Gap is currently using this program in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Jordan.
Cons:
  1. Recent Sweatshop Scandal in India: Click Here for Full Article (Guardian)
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Resources:
  1. Great report from As You Sow on supply chain compliance by Gap, Wal-Mart, Hanesbrands, Nordstrom, Gildan Activewear, Levi Strauss, and others: Click Here for Full Report
  2. For recommendations on Sustainable Shoes, check out our blog post from December 2010: SSGF Sustainable Shoe Recommendations
  3. For recommendations on Eco-Friendly watches, check out our blog post from December 2010: SSGF Recommends Eco-Friendly Watches
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    Product Recommendations:
    For regularly updated shopping recommendations, check out our Amazon Affiliate store: SSGF Amazon Store.

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