Get Your Goods Without the Guilt

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Get Your Goods Without the Guilt

These days it’s hard to pick up a paper or turn on the news without being reminded of the tragic collapse at the Rana Plaza factory building in Bangladesh this April. Such atrocities- endured by thousands of underpaid and abused laborers worldwide- are reported so often that for many, the stories of the inhumane working conditions in international, U.S.-endorsed factories is old hat. However, for the rest of us, heartrending events such as the these are cause to sit back and consider how we can help them from happening again.

In my book, One Hundred Pennies, I speak about the importance of supporting sustainable and American-made products with our hard earned monies. It is our duty as citizens of the world to ensure that our neighbors are treated fairly.

Here are 5 ways to do your part and get your goods guilt free:

Judge Your Goods By Their Cover. Look for clothes and food products marked with certified “Fair Trade” labels.

Research Your Retailers. Mega-brands like Wal-mart and Disney are notorious for employing sweatshops to manufacture their goods. If you can, research your favorite brands to see what their labor practices are before making your purchases.

Buy Less. Sales and profits drive the companies that utilize harmful labor and environmental practices. In general, the less you buy from them the less you’ll be contributing to their bottom line.

Buy Used. Consignment stores often offer items from the same brands that use deleterious manufacturing procedures. However, shopping thrift keeps your consumer dollars from going to the unfair businesses who make the products.

Sew & Grow. This step requires a bit more time and dedication than some of the others. However, by learning to make your own clothing and grow your own foods, you can make certain you know exactly where your goods come from.