From purchasing groceries to cars our dollars make a difference in the world. But it is often difficult to determine how socially and environmentally responsible companies are. I have tried to search the internet for the social and environmental practices of my favorite brands and have often come up with conflicting information.
Ellis Jones boils this information down into a pocketbook shopping guide, The Better World Shopping Guide, and a comprehensive website www.betterworldshopper.com. Using 25 reliable nonprofit sources on social and environmental responsibility, over 1000 companies are given a grade based on how they fare in five categories:
- Human Rights: Use of sweatshops, child labor, exploitation etc.
- The Environment: Pollution, rainforest destruction, sustainable practices etc.
- Animal Protection: Factory farming, animal testing, humane treatment etc.
- Community Involvement: Non-profit alliances, philanthropic donations, local business support etc.
- Social Justice: Fair wages, health records, discrimination etc.
The Better World social & environmental responsibility ranking system.
This book can guide your shopping for a better world. The book is organized by category (from airlines to wine) making it easy to refer to when you need it. For example, I often debate between purchasing Morningstar Farms and Boca products when I go grocery shopping. So the last time I went grocery shopping I pulled out The Better World Shopping Guide and found the “Meat Alternatives” page. Now my choice is simple, my dollars are going to support Morningstar Farms with a passing grade (B-) and not Boca with a failing grade (F).
Tags: sustainability