Tag: consumer brand support

Changing the world will only happen now if we learn to be conscious shoppers… But, it’s not that easy when you can’t tell who is doing what! But I’ll tell you that learning who and what will fill you with purpose. Shopping therapy!

We need to know what companies are trying to make a difference now more than ever. So let’s get started… The Certified B Corporation is a system that identifies a companies efforts to change the world.

Most of us have never heard of this type of certification because you rarely find it in advertising. A certified B Corp is a company that works to make a profit but works with something called B Lab. The B stands for Benefit and B Lab is a nonprofit company!

Its job is to measure a company’s social and environmental standards. It holds for-profit companies accountable. So these companies must meet rigorous standards to keep their certification. It’s basically like a USDA certification for the business. In a world where there are lots of claims that stretch the truth, it’s nice to know who to support.

Marketers look for the shiniest adjectives that describe their products. The warm and fuzzy phrases bring a welcoming reception which ultimately increases sales. However, the B Corp qualifies companies that want more than profits. They want to do better. These companies are working to be wholesome, safe and properly labeled. They’re working hard at changing the world!

Certification begins with a test that asks a bunch of questions related to a companies impact. It studies the impact on employees, customers, community and the environment. To qualify a company must score a minimum of 80 points. If they’re really good they can score up to 200 points. Once the test is passed a company will then follow up with supporting documents and provide a background check.

There are 3,243 B Corp companies in 71 countries and many are based in Canada and the U.S. So here are the 16 companies that stand out. See how they’re working hard every day at changing the world.

This company is in the top 25 for the largest companies worldwide to become certified. It is working to become transparent and increase its sustainability. It is non-GMO certified and their health products are gluten-free. They’ll recycle their packaging taking it back once its life is over.

This clothing company is also part of the circular community. It has developed a program to reuse previously worn clothing. So far It has donated 100 million dollars to environmental groups. Together they’re trying to help slow climate change. Their mission includes “building the best product, to cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is trying to prevent social injustices in local and international communities. They’re replicating models of economic justice that have proved to be sustainable. Their mission is to make improve the community’s quality of life. They figure it’s just as important as their financial goals. Wow! If you see this company in the Dairy aisle support them by voting with your dollars!

The Body Shop is a global beauty brand that has been around since the ’70s. This is the first company that pioneered “fair trade” in the cosmetic industry. It’s committed to social issues such as human trafficking, climate change, deforestation, whaling, and animal testing. They’re not just a brand with sweet-smelling products. They have been a long-standing advocate for positive change in the world.

The first time I read Dr. Bronner’s bottle I thought he’s maybe a little crazy. You’ll have to read it to believe it! However, soap products are fantastic! They’re USDA organic, Non-GMO, not tested on animals and fair for life. Fair for Life is a program that certifies the supply chain for fair trade and fair wages.

Vita Coco is a New York-based company working with farmers in Brazil, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They know that farming is hard work and harvesting coconuts is no exception. So, they’ve developed educational programs for the community and also invest in their farms. They don’t like to waste the coconut either. Once the coconut water is extracted they use the meat for their coconut oil and the shell as fuel for factories.

This local Vancouver B.C. company puts together meal kits for families on the go! They source their ingredients from local farms and store the food in reusable containers. The food is designed by Chefs and this company uses beef raised without any unnecessary antibiotics or hormones. Plus, the fish is caught wild and certified by Ocean Wise.

Fairware is a merchandising company that helps companies offer sustainable promotional products for their business. They do the homework to find ethical and sustainable products so busy companies don’t need too. Their clients include Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vega, Patagonia, Natures Path, seventh generation, and UNICEF.

Look no further for an all you need an ethical market place. Ethos is an online platform that works with companies with ethical perspectives. For the most part, they offer environmentally friendly products, safe working conditions, and sustainable wages. This platform has also claimed to help 100 million women out of poverty! Amazing! You can shop everything from clothing, home goods and grocery items at Etho’s Marketplace.

This company is the leading green household and personal care brand in North America. They use recycled material in their packaging and have reduced their manufacturing process’s carbon footprint. Another great aspect of this company is that all of its products are USDA certified bio-based and not tested on animals. Overall the plastic packaging comes from 100% post-consumer recycled material!

Changing the world comes easy when you buy a subscription with this eCommerce platform. It collaborates with many other ethical companies with the same principles. These companies include Method, Seventh Generation, and Burt’s Bees. As a result, they make sure their products are cruelty-free, made with plants and contain only natural fragrances. They’re constantly looking at ways to reduce the plastic in their packaging. Plus their ethical supply chain and sustainable material set this company apart.

Their teas are beautiful not just because of their taste but also for their ethics! Numi is certified as a fair-trade company with fair labor practices. It’s just crazy that there NEEDS to be a third party organization to determine if people are being paid fairly. They hold themselves accountable for their supply chain and sustainable farming practices. Each tea is Organic and Non-GMO. So it’s easy to see that this company is a worthy Corp B company.

This grocer deserves a nod. Hello Brianne! She’s a Marine Biologist that has seen first hand the swirling mass of plastic in our oceans. She knows that much of the waste has come from our very own kitchens. Her goal was to see the reduction in food packaging. So she set up a shop in Vancouver B.C. She’s made waves in the grocery aisle since all of the products offered in her store are zero waste.

The Danone Canada brand is one of the largest consumer companies in the Corp B lineup! Their priorities include climate change, sourcing sustainable ingredients and improving their packaging. It’s a fine balance between profits and the social/environmental factors we face today. Therefore this brand makes it in the top 4 ethical dairy brands. Support them over the other brands in the dairy aisle.

This shoe company holds itself accountable for its carbon footprint! Climate change has overrun our lives and they’ve realized something needs to be done now. So they’re limiting, measuring, offsetting, and reducing their CO2. By doing this they hope that they’ll one day be a player in changing the world. For this reason, they’ve made a goal to become net-zero by 2030. They’ll do this by paying a self-imposed carbon tax!

This company is awesome so I purchased a phone case from Pela. It’s incredible and I can’t believe how durable a biodegradable item can be! The vision of this company is to create a plastic-free future. They’re working towards building products that encourage a waste-free lifestyle. The sky is the limit and the future looks a little brighter with products like these. Next time you’re looking for a phone case or sunglasses look no further!

Generally speaking, these are some of the companies looking for climate solutions. The companies that we’ve talked about here are good, ethical companies working to make a difference in the world. Support these companies to give the planet a better chance for recovery. Align your wallet with these companies and vote with your dollars. In essence, we can make a difference. Giving them your support offers them a higher competitive advantage over the competition.

It’s time to take a more holistic approach and start inventing new ways to replace synthetic chemicals and materials with natural alternatives. Communities around the world have an opportunity to harvest Planet, People Products. Support small organizations that are working to support these small villages, local artisans and grass root organizations. Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life in a meaningful way? Buy products from small companies working with villagers. These Seagrass market bags are a good way to support the artisans in Vietnam. It’s our pledge to work together to create a more natural, healthy and Eco-friendly planet.