From Doubts to Triumph: Our Journey to Becoming a B Corp Despite Hesitations

From Doubts to Triumph: Our Journey to Becoming a B Corp Despite Hesitations…

First things first… WE DID IT!

If you've been following us on social media, you'll know this has been quite the process. Many late nights, early mornings, numbers (lots of them), early coffees (yum), and hurdles, but the day has finally come, and we are officially an Australian B Corp! There are over 7,000 B Corps globally, with only 841 being from Australia. We are now one of them, and we couldn't be more proud. On top of that, we were thrilled to find out that we hold the highest overall B-corp score of any eco-store in Australia, a whopping score of 98.3! You can see the directory here and find more stores.

However, a few things at the finish line made us tilt our heads and almost made us not sign at all.

Let's dive in…

First up… What does it mean to become a B Corp in Australia?

Becoming a B Corp in Australia is more than just a business decision; it is a commitment to a better future for our planet and its people. B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet strict environmental and social performance standards and are committed to using their business as a force for good. They are showing that it is possible to do well by doing good, and they are inspiring other businesses to follow in their footsteps.

So what does the process look like to become certified?

For a business to become a B Corp, it must undergo a rigorous assessment that evaluates its impact on workers, customers, the community, and the environment. The assessment is designed to give you a score as well as identify areas where a business can improve its practices and ensure it is making a positive impact on society and the environment.

However, here is where we struggled at the end…

While the B Corp certification is a prestigious recognition that many companies aspire to achieve, during our application process, we almost decided not to sign it due to two reasons.

1. During the process, we learned Evian's parent company, Danone, is a certified B Corporation. As a producer of single-use water bottles, I struggled to understand how they fit into the network of purpose-driven businesses that aim to benefit people, communities, and the planet. It made me question the legitimacy of the certification and the standards set for the B Corps.
2. During our last B corp call, B corp told us that despite working with suppliers to offer refills and package-free options, we received a low score on our waste reduction efforts. Through many back and forths, we learned that B Corp currently does not have a system in place to recognise companies' zero-waste efforts properly. This was disheartening because reducing waste is our ultimate goal, and we felt our efforts were not fully recognised.

Sooo, why did we sign?

Because we learned that B Corp is redesigning their certification to take these issues into account, it serves as a reminder that progress over perfection is essential, just like any zero-waste journey. So becoming a B Corp is an important step towards creating a better future for all and demonstrating our commitment to creating a positive impact in the world.

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you who have been on this journey with me. Your words of encouragement, especially when I was up late posting my progress updates at 4 am, have meant the world to me.

It is your unwavering support and belief in our mission to make a positive impact and achieve great things that have kept me motivated and driven.

Big hugs, 

Ellie xx