B Corp Certification, as previously stated in the Colin McKnight’s article about reputable business, holds companies to a rigorous level of positive social and environmental impact. With the B Corp Certification stamp, a consumer can be assured that the product was designed with the environment, the company’s workers and the community in mind.
The B Lab, the nonprofit corporation that administers the B Corp Certification exam, has companies with an environmental honoree status. These companies include ALL GREEN RECYCLING, Rain Water Solutions, Southern Energy Management, WasteZero and Spotlight Solar from North Carolina, as well as the well-known Patagonia.
There are companies outside of B Corps that are good for the environment and are worthy of consumer investment.
Along with buying new products from certified or environmentally conscious companies, consumers can also use their money towards reusing and repurposing. Often, thrift and vintage stores use an environmentally sound business model considering the focus is to reuse clothing. Shopping at these stores rather than investing in fast fashion business models will lessen the demand and eventually help eliminate the severe waste created from the industry. Likewise, and more importantly, it will help create more ethical business practices for workers in the textile industry.
NC State knows that the environmental aspect of having a B Lab certification is important. The missions of companies with an environmental focus align with our university’s sustainable spirit.
The Climate Reality Project believes that consumers should do business with companies that value the environment and are looking to use their business as a force for good. Similarly, we believe that the university’s resources should be invested in a way that doesn’t damage our environment and the future of our generation by exacerbating the threat of climate change. Just as consumers can use their power to support companies with a focus on helping the environment, NC State can minimize its carbon footprint by withdrawing financial support from the fossil fuel industry and investing in forward-thinking clean energy solutions instead.
For more information about B Corps and the companies that are currently certified, check out the B Lab website.
Iman Usmani is a fourth-year studying statistics and economics and a member of the Climate Reality Project at NC State.
