Urge Costco to say no to dirty gold

Ask Costco to join other top jewelry retailers and sign the Golden Rules of responsible metals sourcing

Let’s face it. When we buy jewelry, we want to make someone feel good.

But imagine that gold necklace or ring or bracelet you bought cost much, much more than just the money: communities destroyed, water polluted, wildlife killed.

Doesn’t feel too good, does it?

Unfortunately, you don’t have to imagine it. It’s true.

Every gold ring produces more than 20 tons of mine waste, and in the process all too often lays waste to nearby communities, the environment and clean water.

Right now, Costco -- one of the top 10 jewelry retailers in the United States -- has an opportunity to be a leader in the fight against this dirty gold.

Eight of the other top 10 jewelry retailers have already joined the fight against irresponsible mining -- including Target, Tiffany & Co., and Sears. Jewelry retailers are important because jewelry demand accounts for about 80% of annual mined production of gold.

TAKE ACTION:
Urge Costco to sign the Golden Rules of responsible metals sourcing, and help put a stop to dirty gold.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Read the sample letter on the right.
Customize the subject and letter text -- personalized letters have greater impact
Click "Send Your Message" at page bottom to send your letter to Costco President Jim Sinegal

MORE INFORMATION:

EARTHblog: Costco should say no to dirty gold
The Golden Rules of Responsible Metals Sourcing
Our Golden Rules Report documents the toll of irresponsible mining on people, water, and wildlife at a time when soaring metals prices are driving new mining development globally.
The list of retailers who have signed the Golden Rules, and some of their statements of support.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Mr. Sinegal,

I write to urge Costco to sign the No Dirty Gold campaign’s Golden Rules of responsible metals sourcing.  Eight of the top ten jewelry retailers in the United States have already signed, including Target, Zales and Sears.

As you may know, jewelry demand accounts for about 80% of annual mined production of gold.

What you may not know is that producing enough gold for a single gold wedding band generates on average 20 tons of mine waste.

Around the world, irresponsible gold mining has polluted drinking water, displaced communities, and destroyed habitat.

The Golden Rules are an attempt to address this.  They call on mining companies to meet basic standards for their operations, so as to make concrete, on-the-ground changes in the way that gold and other metals are produced -- changes that make a tangible difference to communities and ecosystems affected by mining.

Thanks in large part to you, Costco has the brand of a progressive company.  It has the reputation of a company that operates with concern for its employees, and for the communities of which it is a part.

I urge you to continue to lead Costco in supporting community health, workers rights, and environmental protection by signing the Golden Rules for more responsible metals sourcing. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jim Sinegal, CEO c/o Muriel Cooper

Costco

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EARTHWORKS

Urge Costco to say no to dirty gold

Jim Sinegal, CEO c/o Muriel Cooper