Tell Macy’s to say no to Dirty Gold this Valentine's Day

Urge Macy's to adopt the Golden Rules
for more responsible mining!

Macy's is famous for its splashy New York Times ads around Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, Macy's has a dirty little secret that it isn't advertising: its sparkly jewelry may be tarnished by human rights abuses and toxic chemicals.

Jewelry demand accounts for 70% of newly mined gold. So far, 90 leading jewelry retailers have pledged to keep irresponsibly mined gold off their shelves.

But Macy's refuses to join these retailers and clean up its gold supply chain.

People buy jewelry as a token of affection for their loved ones. But is your token of love contaminated with dirty gold?

TAKE ACTION: Tell Macy's you don't want to tarnish your love with dirty gold! Urge CEO Terry Lundgren to sign the Golden Rules now!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Read the sample letter at right.
Personalize the letter and subject header -- personalized messages have much greater impact.
Click "Send Your Message" to send your letter via email to Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren
On the next page, spread the word by Facebook, Twitter and/or email.

FOR MORE INFO:

No Dirty Gold campaign's Golden Rules for responsible metals sourcing
No Dirty Gold campaign's What Retailers Can Do
No Dirty Gold Valentine's Day fact sheet

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Mr. Lundgren,

When people think of Valentine's Day shopping, they think of Macy’s. However, something much less desirable is beginning to become synonymous with Macy’s brand: dirty gold.

Gold mining has been linked to human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and labor violations. Producing a single gold ring creates on average 20 tons of toxic mine waste. Gold is the most frequently named commodity appearing on the U.S. Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor.

From Peru to the Democratic Republic of Congo, gold mining is having devastating impacts on workers, communities, and the environment. Communities in Peru are fighting to protect their water supplies from gold mining pollution. Families in the DRC live in fear that tomorrow may be the day their child is forced into the mines.

It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m calling on Macy’s to help by cleaning up its gold supply chain. Please sign the “Golden Rules” and show that you are committed to responsible gold mining and ethical gold products.

Macy’s is one of the largest jewelry retailers in the U.S. Your company accounts for a significant share of jewelry sales – much of which takes place around Valentine's Day. I want to know that you are committed to making sure that the gold you sell your customers is responsibly produced. Over 90 of the largest jewelry retailers in the world have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign’s Golden Rules. It is now time for Macy’s to step up. It would tarnish Macy’s brand name and reputation to be the only major jewelry retailer that has not yet supported ethically produced gold.

The Golden Rules include respecting human rights, international labor standards, and environmental protection. As a consumer, I want know that Macy’s is taking responsibility for the gold it is selling and doing its due diligence to ensure its gold products are not coming from mines with poor human rights and environmental track records.

Please take action and join us in transforming the gold industry by supporting – and fully implementing – the Golden Rules. This Valentine's Day, I want to know that I can feel good about buying jewelry at Macy’s because of your commitment to cleaner gold.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Terry Lundgren

Macy's CEO

Holly Thomas

Macy's VP for Media Relations

Jim Sluzewski

Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & External Affai

Robin Reibel

Group Vice President, Media Relations, Cause Marketing & Visitor

Alison Kmiotek

Media Relations Manager

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