Chain Barcodes

The Idea

When consumers buy a product, they could scan the product's barcode through an app that would educate them on chain workers involved in the production of the product they hold, as well as give them action options.

The Specifics

The app. would tell consumers the story of a chain worker who worked on the product they hold. The story would be visually summarized by a happy, so-so, or unhappy face. The consumer would be given action options such as “send a thank you note to the business for treating its workers well”, “ask the business to provide its workers with better benefits/opportunities”, “choose a recommended similar and more ethical product”, “thank your store for carying this product” etc. Messages to businesses would act as petitions. For the customer’s convenience, the app would also act as a calculator adding up purchases and providing a cart evaluation in terms of friendliness towards chain workers.

Discussion

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