We’re B Corp Certified!

We’re so proud to share the news that bide is now a certified B Corporation! But what exactly is a B Corp, and what does it mean for us as a business and you in the bide tribe?

As an eco-conscious human wanting to have a positive impact on the world and live a sustainable and planet-friendly lifestyle, your everyday choices can have a huge impact. From choosing plastic-free packaging and organic ingredients to supporting businesses that pay workers a fair wage and create sustainable supply chains. But how can you be sure a business is truly sustainable and a force for good? This is where the gold-standard of eco credentials comes in – the B Corp Certification.

What is a B Corp?

B Corp certification is a designation given by a company called B Lab – a non-profit organisation that believes today’s world is in urgent need of a different kind of economy to the one we currently operate in. One that doesn’t see shareholders and CEOs lining their pockets with the majority of the wealth; one that doesn’t have a negative impact on the planet, people and communities.

To change the economic system, they need to change the rules of the game. So, they create new policies, standards and tools to break down the structural underpinnings of capitalism, transforming it from a system that benefits the few, to one that benefits the many. B Lab help companies around the world balance profit with purpose, harnessing the power of collective action to tackle the critical challenges we face as a society. They champion businesses that are a force for good, those that look after people and the planet – not just their financial profits.

Businesses that are certified as a B Corp have met the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency, as well as being leaders in the movement for an inclusive, fair and regenerative economy.

How do you get certified?

It's no easy feat getting B Corp certified. Every business who applies is put through a rigorous year-long assessment with every element of the company put under the microscope for scrutiny. You’re assessed across five categories – governance, workers, community, customers and the environment – and required to sit an exam on how your business operates. The certification demands that a business not only achieves a score above 80 on its Impact Assessment test, but also makes a legal commitment to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and make information about their performance publicly available.

Why did we want to be certified?

Here at bide we care deeply about the planet and the people who inhabit it. We don’t just make products that are kind to our beautiful Earth, but products that help provide a solution for both the climate and the social crisis. Our founder, Amelia, says, “bide is a movement for people who believe the products we use daily should not cost the earth. It is our inherent belief that we need to take full responsibility and accountability for the impact we have on people and the planet, injecting purpose in everything we do.” With this in mind, it made sense to get bide B Corp certified, as their values and belief in the need for change aligns with our own visions for a better world.

What does it mean for bide?

We’re incredibly proud to have been awarded a B Corp Certification, and to have scored 98.7 on the B Impact Assessment (to give you an idea, “ordinary” businesses usually score an average of 50.9). This assessment measures the positive impact a business has on the environment, communities, customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders. B Lab works for a fairer, more inclusive economy by supporting and certifying businesses that care about people and planet, so it’s a huge seal of approval for our hard work to have been recognised. Our founder Amelia has known since bide’s inception that “bide is a truly innovative way to transform how a business can actively participate in building a better world, so our B Corporation status cements everything we have always believed to be true.”

Our certification as B Corp also helps us measure exactly how we’re making change – and how we can improve. You can read the report on how we’ve scored here.

What does it mean for you?

Putting the planet and people before profits has always been our driving force, and our new certification is proof for you that we’re true to our word. It shows you where our priorities lay – that we’re committed to creating meaningful change, working for the people and the planet and creating a sustainable and inclusive economy in a fairer world. It’s also proof of the positive impact you’re having on the world too, by supporting a business that has the welfare of people and planet at its heart.

What’s next?

Our certification is a huge milestone for us on our journey and we couldn’t be prouder. It’s also just the beginning. The assessment process and certification has shown us what we’re doing well, and where we can improve, so implementing those changes to make our business work even better for you and the planet is our next goal. B Lab requires businesses to be reassessed every three years, and for their score to have improved, so you know that we’ll be continually striving to make meaningful change and be a force for good.

B Corp brands we love

We’re in good company with our new B Corp certification, with around 1000 other UK-based businesses that are all working towards the common goal of creating a better future. Here are just some that we love:

Riverford – seasonal, organic veg freshly picked from their farms and delivered straight to your door in innovative planet-friendly packaging.

amamus – creating bespoke, speciality coffee for businesses whilst helping solve social, economic and environmental issues that threaten the availability of coffee in the future.

Social Supermarket – bringing together businesses that do good all under one (virtual) roof, so you can shop with a clear conscience.

Flawsome Drinks – saving wonky and surplus fruit and vegetables from the bin by using them to create delicious flavoured sparkling waters, juices and health shots.

Who Gives a Crap – toilet paper that does good, helping build loos for the billions of people around the world who don’t have access to one.

Pip and Nut – harnessing the nutritional power of nuts by creating tasty nut butters that do good for people and the planet.   

Pura – affordable, eco-friendly baby products that take care of the planet as well as your little one.

Stay Wild – a brand that encourages conscious consumption, while creating sustainable swimwear made from unwanted waste around the world.