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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Don't Buy from Firestone

I'm putting together a presentation for our weekly staff meeting about Conscious Consuming. I'd heard from some friends that rubber was a highly exploitative industry. Little did I know...Check out the video above.

Here's the DL from the International Labor Rights Union:
Workers talk of hardship at Liberia's Firestone | International Labor Rights Forum

Firestone has had numerous law suits against them in the past several years and although they claim they are making changes, labor rights workers have seen little change. For example, they claim they offer their workers free housing. The housing is small, dilapidated huts that haven't been updated since they were built in 1920. Also, the workers are children. CHILDREN. Again, they claim they offer free education to their workers, but only to the 9th grade and no school supplies or clothing. Children don't go to school because they can't afford the extra costs.

I'm not sure at this point what to do about this, as far as alternatives. I guess used tires are an option..and I'm not sure about other tire companies. If anyone has any info on that, please comment.

See you soon.

PS: Good News! I got into an MBA program which focuses on Sustainability. I get to take a whole trimester on corporate social responsibility. Can't wait to start!