Take action with your consumer habits

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It is easy to sometimes feel overwhelmed and helpless. Most of us aren't in positions where we can easily influence things. One way we can make a difference though is through our consumer habits. But it takes a lot of us to make a difference, so spread the word.

Socially Responsible Companies

If we care about the future, we need to accept change. As Bob Dylan said, "Your old road is rapidly agin', Please get out of the new one, If you can't lend your hand ". America has evolved socially since its inception, sometimes slowly, sometimes grudgingly, but evolution nonetheless. Civil rights, environmental protection, workplace rights, and more.

Newsweek - America's Most Responsible Companies 2024

"Corporate responsibility encompasses environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). However, at the core is the idea that businesses should support the communities in which they belong." Click on the Newsweek link above to see the full list. The top 10 are Merck and Co., Xylem, HP, Cisco Systems. Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, Regency Centers, Applied Materials, Hasbro, Illumina, Mastercard, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Other links to information on socially responsible business and corporations.

Built In: 61 Socially Responsible Companies to Know (April, 2025)
Donorbox Blog: 14 Best Scially Responsible Companies Making a Difference (June, 2025)
Wall Street Journal: Top Companies for Social Responsibility (March, 2025)
Double the Donation: 50 Socially Responsible Companies Leading in Philanthropy (2024)
Cory Ames: The 10 Most Socially Responsible Companies (2023)
Digital Marketing Institute: 16 Brands Doing Corporate Social Responsibility Successfully (April, 2025)

Sustainability: meeting present needs without compromising future generations ability to meet their needs. It balances economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection to ensure long-term viability.

Social responsibility: a concept in which a person works and cooperates with other people and organizations for the benefit of the community. (Wikipedia).

Consuming Habits

Vote with your wallet

Shop local independent stores, co-ops, and farmer’s markets whenever you can. Better yet, buy used, such as from Thrift stores [1, 2, 3] and Facebook Marketplace.

Recommended

If you can't buy locally, support these.

Groceries
- Costco
- Cub
- Trader Joe's
- Aldi
- Thrive Market
e-Commerce, Multiple product types
Personal care products
Transport, Vacation, Entertainment
- Lyft
- VRBO
- Bookshop:
Black Market: refurbished tech

Not recommended

Amazon
Whole Foods
Walmart
Target
Uber
AirBnB
Booking.com

Articles

Top 10: Sustainable Companies in Energy

Farmers markets offer numerous benefits, including access to fresh, local, and seasonal produce, support for local economies and family farms, and opportunities for social interaction. They also promote healthier lifestyles and help reduce the environmental impact of food production.

Above image: Adobe Stock

Shop at thrift stores. You'll save money, recycle materials, and in many cases support a local charity.

Shop at local Co-ops. The Twin Cities is home to 12 food co-ops, the highest rate of food co-ops per capita in the United States.

Socially Responsible Investment

Responsible investment involves considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when making investment decisions and influencing companies or assets (known as active ownership or stewardship). For detailed information on socially responsible investment visit this Principles for Responsible Investment website.

Natural Investments PBLCC provides ratings for a large number of investment companies. Below are companies given a five heart rating, but visit the site for more information and links to investment firms. The Heart Rating launched in 1992 as the first fund rating system that compares the breadth and depth of the environmental, social and governance criteria (ESG) used by fund managers to select the holdings. The Rating looks at a fund’s research process, screening criteria, shareholder advocacy efforts with companies, and cash investments in communities, particularly communities of color. As a snapshot, the Rating distinguishes funds that take a comprehensive approach to ESG from those that address only a few issues.

Some additional sites to consider visiting.

Above image: Adobe Stock

ESG refers to “Environmental”, “Social” and “Governance” aspects of commercial activities. Increasingly, investors are aligning investments with ESG values and capitalizing on companies which actively address ESG risk through high ESG standards. (Read More)

Above image: Adobe Stock

Learn More about Social Investment