Comments on: Two more quick questions from Vision Conscious Brands http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/02/25/two-more-quick-questions-from-vision-conscious-brands/ Blog of Parents for Ethical Marketing Tue, 6 Jan 2009 09:06:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: blue milk http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/02/25/two-more-quick-questions-from-vision-conscious-brands/#comment-831 blue milk Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:42:42 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/02/25/two-more-quick-questions-from-vision-conscious-brands/#comment-831 I can't really help with this one because we only have one of the three stores mentioned here in Australia. I regularly hear disturbing things about Walmart, even here in a country where it doesn't exist so their unethical labour practices must make BIG news. I can’t really help with this one because we only have one of the three stores mentioned here in Australia. I regularly hear disturbing things about Walmart, even here in a country where it doesn’t exist so their unethical labour practices must make BIG news.

]]> By: Julie http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/02/25/two-more-quick-questions-from-vision-conscious-brands/#comment-807 Julie Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:40:20 +0000 http://www.parentsforethicalmarketing.org/blog/2008/02/25/two-more-quick-questions-from-vision-conscious-brands/#comment-807 1. Of the larger, more mainstream toy companies (found in Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, etc.) which do you see as the most socially responsible and why? Is there a difference between any of these companies? Um....I'm not sure. I have sworn off toy purchases in any of these stores, so it's hard to say. I suppose I would agree with you on Melissa and Doug, but I won't purchase them any more either until they stop making them in China. Also, I have found that the paint chips off terribly on them, and since I can't be sure that the paint doesn't contain lead they make me nervous. 2. If you had to choose one, which issue would you like companies to address (assuming lead paint is already a priority): – philanthropy or community action, – reducing environmental waste in packaging, – recycling toys or toy parts/materials, – ethical labor practices (wages and working conditions), – toy safety parent education, or – something else. This is a tough one. I have a hard time deciding between reducing environmental waste in packaging, recycling toy parts or materials, and ethical labor practices. Can I have all three? ;) I suppose ethical labor practices. I can look at a toy and see the amount of packaging and decide not to buy it because of that. But I can't look at a toy and know whether the factory workers who made it are paid a fair wage. 1. Of the larger, more mainstream toy companies (found in Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, etc.) which do you see as the most socially responsible and why? Is there a difference between any of these companies?

Um….I’m not sure. I have sworn off toy purchases in any of these stores, so it’s hard to say. I suppose I would agree with you on Melissa and Doug, but I won’t purchase them any more either until they stop making them in China. Also, I have found that the paint chips off terribly on them, and since I can’t be sure that the paint doesn’t contain lead they make me nervous.

2. If you had to choose one, which issue would you like companies to address (assuming lead paint is already a priority):

– philanthropy or community action,
– reducing environmental waste in packaging,
– recycling toys or toy parts/materials,
– ethical labor practices (wages and working conditions),
– toy safety parent education, or
– something else.

This is a tough one. I have a hard time deciding between reducing environmental waste in packaging, recycling toy parts or materials, and ethical labor practices. Can I have all three? ;) I suppose ethical labor practices. I can look at a toy and see the amount of packaging and decide not to buy it because of that. But I can’t look at a toy and know whether the factory workers who made it are paid a fair wage.

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