What is a B Corp? And why is Paper on the Rocks so proud to be one?

A ‘B Corp’, or a benefit corporation, is a company that’s part of a global economy that uses business as a force for good.

The B Corporation certification allows people like us to live our values through what we consume. It allows us to make purchasing choices with purpose.

A company with B Corp certification has been thoroughly assessed so you can be sure that its products and services, as well as all the behind-the-scenes workings, are in line with high environmental and social standards.

There are over 2,600 certified B Corporations across 150 industries in 60 countries to choose from. And that number is growing, with more and more businesses recognising the necessity to have a positive impact on society and the environment.

Getting the B Corp seal of approval

Here at Paper on the Rocks we gained our B Corp Certification back in June 2017. We received the certification after being successfully evaluated on pretty much everything we do. Our social and environmental performance was assessed, along with our supply chain, input materials, operations, public transparency, and how our business model impacts our team, community, the environment and our customers. It also, importantly, looked at how we balance our profit with a purpose that goes beyond making money.

B Corp plays a key role in encouraging for-profit companies to do business in a way that’s better for everyone. So, as you can see, it’s a pretty important community to be part of.

As a team, we’re personally big fans, and very proud, of Paper on the Rocks and its mission to improve the (currently incredibly wasteful) paper industry. And this is a big part of B Corp – working for one is more than a job. As cliché as it might sound, it’s also a passion.

How do we live our lives the B Corp way?

We love to support our fellow B Corporations, sometimes consciously, and sometimes it just happens without us even realising it.

I did a quick survey of the Paper on the Rocks team to see which B Corp products and services we use on a regular basis. It turns out we use a lot.

Of course, in our office, we use our own lovely Rockbooks to jot down our actions during meetings… As well as for essential personal scribbles like name ideas for hypothetical rock bands, shopping lists, and games of noughts and crosses.

But we thought we’d share the other companies we support on a daily basis with you in celebration of the awesome community that is B Corp. Any you’ve not heard of that you like the sound of? Be sure to check out their products and support organisations working towards a better world for all of us. Purchasing with purpose will make a difference.

So here it goes… (but first, please let us know about the B Corp companies you love!)

Food and drink

Hygiene

Money matters

Out and about

Check out the B Corp Directory for a list of all benefit corporations to see how many you use, and what you might be missing out on.