Victory! Target Joins "No Dirty Gold" Campaign, Pledges to Offer Ethically-Sourced Jewelry

by Amanda Kloer · 2011-03-23 15:14:00 UTC
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After receiving letters from over 22,000 Change.org members, Target has signed Earthworks' “No Dirty Gold” campaign, which will help ensure the company sells gold jewelry mined under responsible conditions that respect the environment, human rights, and mining communities. The company's decision marks significant progress in the global fight against child labor, environmental destruction, and community damage that often accompanies large commercial mining. Bravo to Target, Earthworks, and the tens of thousands of advocates who supported this campaign.

For years, Earthworks has been fighting the environmental, human rights, and community impacts of dirty gold, including pollution, child labor and workers' rights abuses, and endangerment of communities and indigenous persons. The “No Dirty Gold Campaign” has helped major retailers including Tiffany and Co., JC Penny, and now Target maintain customer confidence by offering ethically-sourced gold jewelry.

Target's commitment to these critical issues means more customers will have access to gold jewelry produced under environmentally and worker-friendly conditions. And their agreement to independent verification of mining conditions means mines across the world will be held accountable to treat their workers and the earth with respect.

“Target’s commitment brings us one step closer to the day when gold and other precious metals are no longer tarnished by environmental harm or human rights abuses,” said Payal Sampat, International Campaign Director at EARTHWORKS. “The No Dirty Gold campaign applauds Target for this important decision. We are indebted to the thousands of Change.org members who have lent their voices to this effort. We now need your help to bring more jewelry and electronics retailers on board the campaign to end dirty gold mining and promote more responsible alternatives.”

Now, Earthworks and clean gold advocates are asking retail giant Costco to step up and sign on to the "No Dirty Gold" campaign.  You can keep up the momentum in cleaning up the gold mining industry by asking Costco to follow the "Golden Rules" as well. Because if all major retailers like Target and Costco committed to working to offer responsible gold, we can end industry abuses for good. And that would be golden.

Photo credit: Patrick Hoesly

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic

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