Week Nine: Going beyond business as usual
The world is facing some of the biggest crises and challenges of our time. Our environment is in rapid decline. Social justice gaps are widening, not closing. By choosing to prioritise profit over people and the planet, most businesses are adding to the problem.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Certified B Corporations (or B Corps) are companies that use business as a force for good, committing to positively impact all stakeholders – workers, communities, customers, and our planet. To certify as a B Corp, businesses are required to embed this stakeholder-focused mindset into their legal structure.
B Corp Certification therefore isn’t just a logo; it’s a global movement of businesses going beyond the harmful status quo to make their mark on the world and transform the economic system for the better.
B Corps can be global brands, and also small businesses, some of which might be working within your community. You’ve probably seen the B Corp ‘B’ logo on products or on websites. Did you notice it?
You can find a list of B Corps, searchable by location and more, here…
Case Studies:
Elvis and Kresse
Elvis & Kresse was formed upon the realisation that all of London's damaged and decommissioned fire hoses ended up in landfill. In 2005, the business started rescuing these hoses to create designer bags and homeware. The team now reclaims more than 12 different materials and has saved over 300 tonnes of material from landfill. 50% of profits from the fire hose range are donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.
Modern Milkman
Modern Milkman is on a mission to transform consumer habits, wipe out waste and make sustainable shopping convenient – working with a network of independent suppliers to deliver fresh, seasonal food and drink products straight to consumers’ doorsteps in returnable glass bottles, recyclable containers, and home-compostable packaging. Modern Milkman’s ‘Milkies’ even collect empties to be refilled and reused again and again, helping to prevent over 67 million plastic bottles polluting the planet, and counting!
Madlug CIC
40,000 children enter the UK care system every year, most have their belongings moved in black plastic bin bags or plastic shopping bags. Madlug is an award winning bag brand that stands for 'make a difference luggage' by empowering its customers to give dignity to children in care. With every bag sold, a pack-away travel bag is given to a child in care.
Take Action:
Your action for this week is to do some research into B-Corps. This could be any or all of the below:
To find out more about the world of B Corp and B Lab UK’s strategy, check out their website and read their Theory of Change.
To learn more about the certification process, download their step by step guide.
To take the first action in becoming a B Corp, create an account on the B Impact Assessment.
For individuals:
How many of the companies that you buy often from have B Corp certification? Have a look through your cupboards and fridge, can you see the B Corp logo? How often do you see it out and about?
A note on this months actions:
‘Go Beyond’ is a 4-part article series, exploring the ways people within a business can use their own influence to make meaningful changes in their everyday life. Drawing on tools and stories from across the B Corp movement, the series will explore how we can all go beyond expectations to make a positive mark on the world.