14 DAY TRIAL // Last week, multinational clothing and accessories retailer GAP opened its first store in Taiwan. The news concerning the official opening of this store reached Greenpeace, and several environmentalists working with the organization decided that it might not be such a bad idea for them to make an appearance at this event.
Unlike many other of the people who attended the opening of GAP's first store in Taiwan, the Greenpeace activists did not show up at this event looking to congratulate the retailer for expanding its business portfolio.
Thus, the environmentalists only attended the party looking to take the fun out of it. Just as GAP representatives were cutting the ribbon on the retailer's newest store, Greenpeace members rolled out a banner accusing GAP of knowingly polluting the environment and endangering public health.
As was the case with several other Greenpeace protests of this kind, the one staged in Taiwan this past Friday was intended to raise awareness of GAP's use of toxic chemicals and convince the retailer to implement measures to green up its ways as soon as possible.
“Last Friday, GAP officially opened its first ever store here in Taiwan. Not wanting to miss out on the party, we decided to mark the occasion by giving GAP a little reminder of its unresolved toxic problems,” Greenpeace writes.
“As the ribbon was cut at the sparkling new store in Taipei, Greenpeace East Asia activists stole the spotlight, dropping a banner to deliver the demand of Greenpeace and GAP’s customers around the world: we won’t accept toxic fashion, it’s time to Detox,” the organization further details.
According to Greenpeace, it was 971 days ago when the first so-called Dirty Laundry report linking GAP to environmental pollution was released. At that time, the retailer was accused of contaminating waterways in China and Mexico.
Besides, some time after that, a new report, i.e. Polluting Paradise, showed that the company was doing business with a supplier in Indonesia that was releasing a cocktail of chemicals into the local Citarum River on a regular basis.
The organization is awfully upset about the fact that, despite these reports, GAP has not yet joined its Detox campaign, and appears to have no intention to do so in the near future. Hence, Greenpeace is asking that people join it in demanding that the retailer cut all ties with toxic fashion.
“We have shown time and time again that change only happens when people stand up and speak out. Brands like Zara, Levi’s and Burberry listened to their customers and are now acting on our demands.”
“Isn't it time GAP also recognised the urgency of this situation, taking meaningful action to clean up its supply chain on behalf of its new customers here in Taiwan and those all over the world?” Greenpeace writes on its website.