How to not support sweatshops?

[wytchywoman]

Hi everyone,
I just watched a documentary ( or part of one) called Blood, Sweat and Tshirts that was profoundly eye opening. I was really really really shocked at the conditions that these workers have and they miniscule pay they receive. I'm wondering if any of you have any advice about how to shop and not support sweatshops. I suspect buying second hand would be one way, are there any others? Are there companies that we know for sure to avoid? What about companies we can buy from that have fair practices?
Thanks in advance for your help.

M

[indiefolklore]

Hi!

We try to hit up thrift stores and yard sales (usually the cheapest option)whenever possible as our first choice but there are a lot of good resources out there.

I love Green America. I am a member and have really gotten use out of their National Green Pages publication, sometimes if you are lucky you can find these at a Borders or Barnes + Noble. They have awesome sections on Fair Trade and Sweatshops that i recommend reading.

Fair Indigo , Green Loop + Hae Now are online clothing shops for men, women + baby that are reasonably priced and you can get great sale deals.

I almost exclusively buy Patagonia for outdoor wear because of their Enviromentalism,Garment Recycling and Coporate Social Responsibility. Buying out of season products on sale really cuts the cost either online or places like REI.

Equita is a wonderful marketplace for body, home and food fair trade.


For more on the Activism front check out:
Sweat Free Communities

United States Against Sweatshops

Campaign For Labor Rights

[wytchywoman]

Thank you very much!!!! I will check all of those links out.

[indiefolklore]

Oh and i forgot which is weird because it's such a huge DUH...Etsy!

[wytchywoman]

Thanks!!!