Stuff reseller giant eBay is getting in on the whole "environmentally conscious" trend by launching a newest sister site,
WorldofGood.com. The site launched earlier this week, and its goal is "to sell goods produced with social and environmental goals in mind, which we assume doesn't mean sweatshop-made PVC Nikes packaged in Styrofoam kryptonite.
World of Good Inc. is a company eBay started to create "ethical supply chains" for consumer products, and the Web site's goal is to put that mantra into practice. The goods sold will be fixed-price, and will supposedly have positive effects on the world around them. Shoppers will be able to search by social and environmental categories, and independent organizations like
Rainforest Alliance and
Co-op America will screen sellers and verify the items listed on the site.
"We really want consumers to drill down into the detail of what's behind that product," WorldofGood.com general manager Robert Chatwani said. As is the case of eBay, sellers on WorldofGood.com will pay a listing fee and give eBay a commission on successful sales. And eBay login information will work immediately, streamlining the process for the end user.
Of course, there are other ways to buy such goods online -- the excellent
etsy.com being one of many -- but the trend is gaining steam, and eBay wants to be a part of it. The Natural Marketing Institute's estimate that the U.S. market for "environmentally friendly" goods was $209 billion in 2005, and the group projects that will rise to $420 billion in 2010. Which means sustainable profits! [From:
NewsVine]