Cambridge-based coffee recycling company and maker of Coffee Logs, bio-bean Limited, has announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. bio-bean has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, the company has legally embedded their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.
bio-bean is now part of a community of over 3,500 businesses globally who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 400 companies and includes well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop, and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.
Recent attention on the waste management and recycling industries makes bio-bean’s B Corp certification a notable step and signals a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the sector.
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, says “We are delighted to welcome bio-bean to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates, who believe business really can be a force for good. We know that bio-bean are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward”.
“We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community - from startups to multinationals, and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force, and one that - as these companies are showing - can be used for good. Being able to welcome bio-bean to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.”
George May, Executive Director of bio-bean, says “We believe that businesses are the best vehicles for driving change and delivering impact (both social and environmental). We consider that for a business to be successful it must be more than simply profitable. With B Corp certification fast becoming the gold standard for evaluating the sustainability of a business beyond financials, we are extremely proud to be a B Corp.”
“B Corp recognises businesses that are working to bring about change and operate in a way that seeks to benefit the wider community, whilst it also provides a framework for continuous improvement. For us, the ethos behind B Corp is aligned with what we are trying to achieve at bio-bean, so to become a B Corp is a fantastic recognition of the business that the team has built, as well as being a clear marker for the way in which we will operate going forward.”
“We hope that our suppliers, customers and all stakeholders – knowing that by being a B Corp we are committed to being transparent about our impact and to continuously improving the sustainability of our business – will be emboldened to work with and support us in our purpose to make big change that lasts.”
There are currently over 400 B Corps in the UK and over 3,500 worldwide. bio-bean is the first UK-based recycling company and solid fuels manufacturer to be awarded B Corp status.
B Lab UK is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 3,500 B Corps in 70 countries and 150 industries, and over 100,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager.
http://bcorporation.uk/
bio-bean Limited is the world’s largest recycler of coffee grounds. Based in Cambridgeshire, bio-bean takes spent coffee grounds from businesses large and small across the UK and transforms them into Coffee Logs eco fire logs, giving new life to a material previously considered waste. bio-bean’s coffee recycling service saves businesses money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to the circular economy.
https://www.bio-bean.com/