What’s the last thing you bought on Amazon? This month, we’re exploring the labor and environmental issues of Amazon.
Create Impact
Take action with these impact opportunities curated by our team! Just click to get started.
ONE MINUTE
Amazon has a long way to go in terms of sustainability. While it offers some sustainable packaging options, we’ve all received an item in the classic bubble-wrap-lined plastic envelope.
Sign the petition below to encourage Amazon to offer a sustainableshipping option on its platform.
Shopping at alternatives to Amazon is a powerful way to retaliate against the corporation’s negative impact and poor working conditions. One such alternative is Uncommon Goods, an online marketplace that’s been certified a B Corporation. The company donates $1 from every purchase to a nonprofit partner, uses eco-friendly packaging, and pays its employees double the minimum wage.
Shop at Uncommon Goods and use your buying power to support a more sustainable and ethical marketplace. If you don’t need to purchase anything right now, bookmark Uncommon Goods for later!
Click to shop
TEN MINUTES
This past fall, Congress released a 450-page report on the antitrust conduct of major technology companies, including Amazon. Read a summary of the report here.
Now, it’s time for Congress to take action. After reading the report, use the template below to contact your representatives and senators. Many have a contact form on their respective websites, but email and telephone are also effective.
“Hello, my name is [your came], and I am one of your constituents from [city, state]. I am contacting you to ask you to act on the House of Representative’s investigation into major technology companies. Specifically, I ask you to support legislation that will regulate Amazon and restore democracy to online commerce. Congressional action is essential to support small and local business. Thank you.”
If you use Amazon, look at your order history. What are the three things that you buy most often from Amazon? Perhaps you’ve rented textbooks, ordered groceries, or bought clothes on the platform recently. Research and make a plan to purchase those products from a local business or a more sustainable vendor than Amazon next time you need to purchase them. We recommend looking up farmer’s markets or local grocery stores for food, and sustainable and ethical clothing brands.
TWO HOURS
Watch Amazon Empire, a 2020 PBS documentary about the rise of Jeff Bezos, labor issues at Amazon, and the essential questions about capitalism and democracy that Amazon presents to our country. Bonus: invite a friend or family member to watch the documentary with you.
Want more? We’re sharing Amazon memes everyday through the end of January on our Instagram account. FOLLOW HERE!
Want even more? Here are more Novel Hand articles about Amazon:
Is Corporate Charity Just a Gateway to More Power and Influence for Billionaires? Amazon contributed $10 million to support the Black Lives Matter movement. But Amazon’s donations were highly controversial because the company expressed support of the police. Jacinta Gonzalez, a community activist, said, “the company perpetuates policies and technologies that are clearly targeting
Sharing my move to Austin, Texas… // Week of August 9 // Hello Novel Hand readers! Alexa here, Founder and Editor of Novel Hand. I recently moved to Austin to attend law school, and I’m really excited to be living in a new city. But beyond trying new restaurants and enjoying local hangouts, I
We are in the midst of another space race. But this one isn’t between the U.S and Russia: it’s between billionaires. On Monday, July 12, Richard Branson made it to the edge of space with five other people in his rocket, operated by Virgin Galactic. And on July 20, Jeffrey Bezos will do the
