Have you ever wondered if the businesses you support align with your values? In today's world, many companies strive to make a positive impact on society and the environment. However, it can be challenging to distinguish between those who genuinely care and those who merely use clever marketing tactics. This is where Certified B Corporations come into play.
B Corps, as they are commonly known, are businesses that meet the highest standards for environmental and social performance, transparency, and legal accountability. In this blog, we'll explore what B Corp certification entails, how companies become certified, and why it's crucial to support these businesses. We'll also take a look at some examples of B Corp Certified companies that are making a difference.
What does Certified B Corp mean?
B Corps are for-profit businesses that are committed to using their business as a force for good. They operate under a model that balances purpose and profit, aiming to create a positive impact on their employees, communities, and the environment. To become B Corp Certified, a company must undergo a rigorous assessment conducted by the non-profit organization B Lab.
This assessment evaluates various aspects of a company's operations, including its governance, workers, customers, community impact, and environmental practices. Businesses must achieve a minimum score on this assessment and meet the legal requirement to amend their corporate bylaws to incorporate their social and environmental commitments.
What sets B Corps apart?
B Corps are not just ordinary companies claiming to be socially responsible or environmentally friendly. They go through a rigorous certification process that aims to enhance their social and environmental performance. Unlike many other businesses, B Corps don't simply rely on words to demonstrate their commitment. They actively strive to utilize business as a positive force for good.
One of the significant differentiators of B Corps is their willingness to subject their practices to independent verification by a third party. This transparent approach allows for their results to be objectively evaluated. To further promote transparency, the scores of B Corps can be openly accessed through the B Corp directory. This means that anyone can view and assess the social and environmental impact of a B Corp.
This commitment to accountability and transparency sets B Corps apart from companies that engage in greenwashing. Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice of making misleading or false claims about a company's environmental responsibility in order to appear more sustainable or socially conscious than they truly are. B Corps, on the other hand, demonstrate a genuine dedication to creating positive change by aligning their business practices with high social and environmental standards.
How does a company become B Corp certified?
B Lab
B Corp Certification is a rigorous process that assesses a company's overall social and environmental performance. It is administered by the nonprofit organization B Lab, which evaluates companies based on a comprehensive set of standards. These standards encompass various aspects, such as governance, workers' rights, community engagement, environmental practices, and customer transparency.
Getting Started
The process typically starts with a company expressing interest in becoming a B Corp. They begin by completing an initial online assessment that measures their performance against the B Impact Assessment (BIA) standards. The BIA evaluates a wide range of factors, such as a company's supply chain practices, employee benefits, diversity and inclusion efforts, and environmental policies. If the initial assessment indicates a potential alignment with B Corp values, the company proceeds to the verification stage.
The Final Stage
To achieve certification, a company must attain a minimum score on the BIA and undergo a verification process conducted by B Lab. This verification ensures that the information provided by the company is accurate and reliable. Once certified, the company becomes part of a global community of businesses that are committed to using business as a force for good.
Why is it important to support B Corp brands?
Triple Bottom Line
When you choose to support B Corps, you become an essential participant in building a more sustainable and equitable economy. Unlike traditional businesses solely focused on maximizing profits, B Corps adopt a revolutionary approach known as the "triple bottom line." This concept goes beyond financial gains and emphasizes the significance of social and environmental considerations in their operations.
Rather than following the traditional bottom line of solely profits, B Corps take action to advance the well-being of people, their company profits, and to reduce their impact on the planet. By supporting B Corps, you are endorsing a new paradigm of conscious capitalism. You are endorsing businesses that believe in using their power and influence to drive change and create a positive ripple effect throughout society
Transparency
B Corps are held to high standards of transparency and accountability. They are required to regularly report on their social and environmental performance, ensuring that they live up to their commitments. This level of transparency builds trust and allows consumers to make informed choices about the companies they support.
Supporting B Corps for their transparency is also important because it encourages other businesses to follow suit. By setting an example of openness and accountability, B Corps inspire traditional companies to reevaluate their practices and strive towards greater social and environmental responsibility. This ripple effect fosters a more conscious business landscape.
Green Economy
Supporting B Corps can inspire and encourage other businesses to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices. When consumers demand ethical products and services, it sends a powerful message that businesses must prioritize these values to remain competitive. All of these efforts signal to the market and to business leaders alike that sustainability is in, and it’s time to move towards a more green economy.
What are some B Corp Certified Brands?
In the realm of responsible business practices, these brands serve as exemplary models, proving there is a better way to do business for the well-being of our planet. Many of the brands on Green Eco Dream’s site are certified B Corps. To check the certifications and sustainability information of our brands, simply select the “Sustainability Features” dropdown menu available for any of our listed products.
All Good
All Good brand makes a positive impact by prioritizing both our well-being and the environment. Their commitment to sourcing organically grown herbs and oils ensures products free from harmful substances like pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Operating in Morro Bay, California, their production facility relies on solar energy. All products are cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny, and PETA certified. Their reef-safe sunscreens, free of harmful ingredients, protect coral reefs. All Good balances purpose and profit, considering the impact of decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. They further support global environmental projects and non-profits through their 1% for the Planet membership, donating 1% of their annual sales.
Stasher Bags
Stasher Bags, an impactful B Corp company, prevents over 1 billion single-use plastic bags from polluting our oceans and landfills. Made with pure platinum silicone, these endlessly reusable bags replace thousands of disposables, contributing to a cleaner environment. The platinum silicone used is food-safe and free from harmful substances like BPA, BPS, lead, latex, and phthalates.
Stasher Bags meet stringent food safety standards in the U.S., Canada, and the European Union. They even offer a recycling program and repurpose used bags into safe playground pebbles. Also partnering with 1% for the Planet, Stasher donates 1% of their sales to high-impact nonprofits like Rainforest Alliance and No Kid Hungry.
Plaine Products
Plaine Products stands firm in its determination to combat the rising tide of plastic in our world. With a mission to eliminate plastic bottles from bathrooms everywhere, they opted for recyclable aluminum bottles, significantly reducing production costs and energy requirements. Their commitment to sustainability is evident through their free bottle return program, allowing for continuous reuse.
Chemical-free, vegan, and cruelty-free, Plaine’s products align with their values. Their dedication to sustainability is backed by various certifications, including Certified Women-Owned Business, Carbon Neutral, PETA, Leaping Bunny, and of course, Certified B Corporation. As a member of 1% for the Planet, Plaine donates 1% of its annual revenue to support environmental projects.
Business for Good
The efforts of these eco-conscious companies serve as beacons of hope in our fight against plastic pollution and environmental degradation. As Certified B Corps, these brands exemplify how businesses can prioritize social and environmental responsibility, setting an inspiring standard for the corporate world.
In a world where environmental issues can seem overwhelming, we must recognize that the actions we take and the way we choose to spend our money hold immense power. Despite the challenges we face, these businesses demonstrate that every small step towards sustainability matters. Our actions and choices truly have the power to make a difference, and by supporting these brands, we contribute to a brighter, healthier world for generations to come.
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