Friday, 03 July 2009

• The Ten Worst Companies To Buy From

  A few months ago, we started the transition to organic food. 

  It started when a Xangan (http://callmequell.xanga.com/ ) recommended something called the Better World Shopping Guide.

  

  It's a tiny, concise book, printed on recycled paper. 

  I love this book.  I'm close to adopting it as a religion. 

  It works like so:

  1.  You look up an item you want to buy.  Say...a box of herbal tea.

  2.  The book gives each brand of tea a grade based on social responsibility, how they treat their employees, and what they do for local communities.
  

  3.  Then you can choose the most ethical brand you can afford.  It doesn't have to be organic, but it doesn't have to be socially irresponsible either. 

  The book includes a list of the ten worst companies to give your money to:

  1.  Exxon-Mobil

  2.  Kraft

  3.  Wal-Mart

  4.  Chevron-Texaco

  5.  Pfizer

  6.  Nestle

  7.  General Electric (GE)

  8.  Archer Daniels Midland

  9.  General Motors

  10.  Tyson Foods 
  

  These companies all commit global sins, be it damaging the environment, buying off politicians, or treating workers unfairly. 

  Carlos and I changed our shopping habits gradually, first cutting out all Kraft products, then Nestle, and then Tyson.  It wasn't difficult at all.  It was just a matter of flipping packages over and looking for a trademark.  Now we know that that no communities were harmed in the making of our mac and cheese, and that our chocolate was fairly traded.  We're no longer consuming foods that were made with suffering, and it's made the transition into organics a lot easier. 

  We've also started filling our tank at Shell stations instead of Chevron.  Gasoline is a necessary evil for most of us, so if we can lessen the impact on our planet just slightly, why not?  There's usually a Shell down the street from Chevrons anyway.

  I challenge you guys to cut one of the ten worst companies out of your shopping.  Switch your gas station.  Move your bank account to a local credit union if you're feeling brave.  Just do something.

  Tell irresponsible companies that if they want your money, it's going to be on your terms.  They're going to have to treat their employees well, respect the environment, and do something for the communities they set up shop in. 

  You can buy the Better World Shopping Guide here:  http://www.betterworldshopper.com/ or used on Amazon.

  Do you think you can cut unethical companies out of your life?

  • 6:02 PM
  • 4696 Views
  • 108 eProps
  • 76 Comments