Ethical Auctions: E-Bay Rejects Oil From Tar Sands

This week, Patagonia and eBay became the two newest US brands to join the fight against tar sands oil. The two companies have announced that they will no longer use oil obtained from Canada’s tar sands in their transportation vehicles. Businesses that oppose tar sands oil typically reduce or eliminate their consumption of the unclean fuel by asking their transportation companies not to purchase oil produced in the tar sands.

Patagonia and eBay join 16 other US companies (Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Chiquita, Seventh Generation, Fifth & Pacific Companies, Quiksilver, American Eagle Outfitters, Levi Strauss & Co., Timberland, LUSH Cosmetics, FedEx, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Avon) in taking the lead on banning tar sands oil as part of company transportation policy. The US border city of Bellingham in Washington state, one of two US cities used as a gateway for Canadian tar sands, has also agreed to purchase less fuel from factories that source oil from tar sands.