Chapter 3 : Ethics and Social Responsibility

       Banana Republic is a company known for its social responsibility initiatives and desire to take into consideration society’s welfare. One of the most evident ways Banana Republic is demonstrating social responsibility is through green marketing. In 2008, Banana Republic took into consideration customer opinions and began to create clothing of organic cotton and sustainable fibers. Not only does the company market products that are good for the environment, but it is very committed to becoming an all around environmentally-friendly brand. Below is an excerpt illustrating Banana Republic’s continued environmental efforts.

Banana Republic's statement on environmental efforts

      
       According to Banana Republic’s website, the company is trying to make their stores as “green” as possible. They are partnered with the U.S Environment Protection Agency's Climate Leaders Program and are attempting to help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention, they have made the actual store locations “greener” by introducing energy-efficient halogen bulbs in all stores and by using recycled materials such as wood and tiling to actually build the stores. They also installed a solar system power unit at their distribution center. Lastly, they have a denim clean water program, which requires their laundries to follow strict guidelines to maintain water quality when dyeing clothing. 

   
       I myself stepped into a Banana Republic recently to get some more information about Banana Republic’s social responsibility programs and ethical guidelines. The manager of that store mentioned that most of their clothing is imported from Italy and Bangladesh and assured me that those making the company’s clothing worked under good conditions. Not to mention, as part of the bigger Gap Inc., women garment workers employed by the company have the opportunity to participate in the P.A.C.E program. According to the Gap Inc. website :

        "The Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program offers female 
        garment workers the life skills, education, and technical training they need to advance at 
        work and in life."

These are just a few ways in which the company is demonstrating its ethics and its treatment of employees. 

For more information regarding Banana Republic's Environmental Efforts, click here.

For more information regarding Gap, Inc.'s Social Responsibility campaign regarding the community, the environment, its employees, or human rights, click here. 

Some of Banana Republic's efforts to be "green"

Sources :

"Environmental Efforts." Banana Republic. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. <http://bananarepublic.gap.com/customer

       Service/info.do?cid=16552#packaging>.

"Our Commitment." Gap Inc. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. <http://gapinc.com/content/gapinc/html/social_responsibility/

       our_commitment.html>.