The conscious consumerism movement is gaining some serious momentum: Two-thirds of people around the world are willing to pay more for products made by brands that value sustainability, according to Nielsen’s latest annual Global Corporate Sustainability Report. And more than half of us prefer to buy from companies who are committed to social value—as in, benefiting the greater community on a social, economic, or environmental level.
Here at Vital Plan, we are all in. As both a company and as individuals, we’re committed to creating products that are high-quality and sustainable from start to finish, and to partnering with businesses, investors, and advisors who share our core values. Which is why we decided to become a certified For-Benefit Corporation, or B Corp, two years ago this spring.
B Corps are companies that are using the power of business to positively address social and environmental issues. For a quick overview, check out this inspiring three-minute video.
As the founders define it, “B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, and aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems.” And it’s true—the certification process is tough and thorough, and going through it helped us really refine our mission and practices into something that we’re inspired by and dedicated to upholding. (If you’re interested in learning more about what it means to us to be a B Corp, you can read about it here.)
Today, Vital Plan is one of only 10 supplement companies worldwide that’s a B Corp, and while we’re proud of that, we recognize that we’re just a small piece of the global puzzle: There are currently more than 2,400 B Corporations in 50-plus countries around the world, and we’re humbled to be in such good company.
So in honor of B Corp Month this February, and as Vital Plan prepares to recommit and recertify this spring, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few B Corp compatriots that we believe are doing truly great things:
1. Eastern Carolina Organics
This farmer-owned organization markets and distributes wholesale Carolina organic farm produce to retailers, restaurants, and buying clubs. They believe a sustainable food system is based on providing fresh local fruit, vegetables, and herbs while protecting the environment, and 80% of their sales go right back to their growers.
2. Larry’s Coffee
Their coffee is 100% Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, and their impressively green facilities use passive solar construction, active solar systems, radiant floors, zoned heating, composting, and rainwater harvesting to minimize their impact on the planet.
3. Murphy’s Naturals
The maker behind Murphy’s Mosquito Sticks & Candles, they sell all-natural and toxin-free mosquito and flying insect repellent products made from responsibly sourced plant based ingredients.
4. Patagonia
They donate time, services, and at least 1% of sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world.
5. Seventh Generation
A leading brand of green household and personal care products, they constantly evaluate how to reduce their environmental impact, increase performance and safety, and create a more sustainable supply chain.
6. The Raw Office
They’re an online reseller of more than 5,000 environmentally sustainable office supplies for home offices, small businesses, and large enterprise clients across North America, all with a focus on affordability.
7. The Redwoods Group
This impressive team is working to keep children safe and build stronger, fairer communities by insuring youth-serving organizations like YMCAs, JCCs, and summer camps and identifying practical, systemic and cost-effective solutions that address the root causes of harm and help to heal communities.
8. Southern Energy Management
They’re a leader in the sustainable energy industry in the Southeast, and offer a wide array of services including Energy Star and green building consulting and verification, solar system design and installation, energy audits, and more.
We hope you’re inspired to support some of these great businesses, and to spread the word about them and other B Corps. Interested in joining us? Learn about becoming a B Corp here.
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