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Social Responsibility
ECOBAGS® brand products have always been produced in socially responsible environments, even before "social responsibility" was a buzz term. We were very fortunate to find ethical production partners for our brand, in India, more than fifteen years ago. Not only do our partners adhere to local labor laws (no-one under the age of 18 is employed, proper ventilation & working conditions) but they go beyond the minimum by offering extended health coverage, retirement benefits, pension plans (under government programs), vacations and holidays. Additionally, our CEO and Founder, Sharon Rowe, has made several trips to India and, over the 15+ years, has become very close with the partners and their families, creating lifelong relationships. Their children were young when ECOBAGS® began and now, they're all off in college.
With "Social Responsibility" getting so much media play it's important to hold a certification as a socially responsible company; reviewed and recognized by a third party agency. Our organic goods are produced in the same location with the same workers, intermixed with our other goods, so that the certification for social responsibility applies to all work completed in the facility.
As we extend our manufacturing to the USA and China, we continue to review and receive certifications to make sure that all facilities are in compliance with and reach beyond the minimums of social responsibility. We either do independent audits, review and accept partner certifications or both. We feel it would be ironic to create a product that is a step in the right ecological direction with a labor pool that is poorly treated and we, quite simply, won't go there.
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Fair Wage:
Fair Wage standards mandate that wages and benefits for a standard working week meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher. This higher standard is meant to cover the basic living needs of the employee and allow for some discretionary income. The products manufactured by Eco-Bags Products, Inc. are certified Fair Wage by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). You will find this certification printed on the caretag of all ECOBAGS® brand products.
Fair Labor:
Fair Labor monitoring investigates social conditions of manufacturing sites including the safety and hygiene of facilities and prohibits excessive working hours, discriminatory practices and child labor. The products manufactured by Eco-Bags Products, Inc. are certified Fair Labor by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). You will find this certification printed on the caretag of all ECOBAGS® brand products.
Fair Trade:
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability by advocating the payment of a "fair price" as well as adherence to social and environmental standards. Fair trade's strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move towards economic self-sufficiency and stability. The products manufactured by Eco-Bags Products, Inc. are manufactured directly and therefore not purchased or "traded" so this certification does not apply.
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