To Be or Not To Be, This is the Question?

I’m sure when Shakespeare wrote the famous phrase from Hamlet “To be or not to be, this is the question”, he wasn’t referring to being sustainable, yet this is the question that corporations must ask themselves.  One of the most important things I learned this weeks are the obstacles that the apparel industry face today.  I almost want to say it is going to be impossible to get this industry to change but I learned that there are companies that are successful in this endeavor.  They are implementing sustainable practices that are helping our environment and making a profit.  As a merchandising student and consumer, I can take this information and do two things with it.  One, look for companies that are using these practices and work for them, buy from them and spread the word to others about the good things that these companies are doing.  Two, I can sit back and continue to live like I have been for the past 19 years of my life and do nothing.  So, it’s not just the corporations that must ask themselves this question.  I must also. To be or not to be, this is the question?  I choose to be! I know that I have only touched the surface of the things I can learn about sustainability.  Next, I want to understand more about how I can help a company implement these standards into their operations and make a difference.