We’ve got some exciting news to share with you! We’ve joined some of the world's leading brands in gaining coveted B-Corp Status. This means that we are officially one of the country's most ethical enterprises! Talk about some good news to start the year with, huh? Since the beginning of our roasting journey, our brand ethics have been at the centre of everything we do. We strongly believe that success in business is as much about people and the planet as it is about profit and we're passionate about inspiring others to adopt this same view.
We are therefore delighted to have passedB Corp’s rigorous testing, showing that we’re using our business as a force for good, contributing to a bigger picture. We’re now one of the first Scottish companies to have received this prestigious recognition and are more determined than ever to drive positive change. Keep on reading to find out more about B Corp and what the certification means to us.
What is a B Corp?
CertifiedB Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability. They’re the building blocks of a new system, creating a positive impact and bringing real, lasting change in the business world. For decades the world has been waking up to the reality that our economic system, based on profit at all cost, has been exacerbating threats to the health and wellbeing of society and the planet. However, certified B Corporations work to break down unethical norms and shake things up, for good.
About the Certification Process
B Corp certification assesses five key impact areas of a businesses operations - Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to provide evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. You can see how we performed right here.
The certification is awarded by B Lab UK who aim to transform the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. They’re a leader in economic system change with a global network that creates new business standards, policies and tools. To date, B Lab’s global community includes over 3,700 B Corps in 75 countries and 150 industries.
What being B Corp Certified means to us
When founding Dear Green back in 2011, Lisa vowed to build a business dedicated to fairness and equality from cultivation to the cup, after seeing some of the best, and worst, practices imaginable during her own employment experiences and visits to some of the world’s poorest coffee-producing regions. Her goal? To create meaningful, lasting change and set an example that prompts a shift towards great accountability and transparency in business.
Throughout the years, we’ve regularly visited coffee communities, from Brazil and Colombia to Ethiopia and Burundi on ‘origin trips’, ensuring a rigid sourcing process that is fair, traceable and sustainable. In addition to our strict sourcing policies, we’re also working to be as sustainable as possible. We’ve invested in new energy efficient technology and our packaging is reusable and degradable. On top of this, our processes are constantly refined to reduce carbon output. For example, in 2018 we organised the world’s first single-use, cup free, coffee festival. When it comes to staffing, we’re proud to be a Real Living Wage employer and are passionate about ensuring our brilliant team members are paid fairly, valued for their amazing work and are treated equally.
Here’s what Dear Green founder Lisa had to say about our B Corp status;
We hope we can serve as an example to businesses in Glasgow, Scotland and beyond by producing quality coffee, without sacrificing ethical practices.”
After a year like no other, we’re over the moon to have received this prestigious certification as we get ready to welcome a brand new year of roasting tasty, ethical coffee here in Glasgow. Here's to making more, lasting change and using our business as a force for good for many years to come!