It’s raining, hard, and suddenly the room is black. The power is out – no microwave, no lights, no computer. You never realize how important electricity is until it’s gone. However for billions of people around the world this is the norm. They are forced to rely on traditional methods of lighting and nearby canals [...]

By Gina Williams, Co-Founder, and Derek Rogers, Staff Writer, of the Autonomie Project When the first decade of the new millennium came and went, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by personal electronics, a modern-day necessity. Chances are, the first thing you look at in the morning is your BlackBerry, iPhone, or other Smartphone. Perhaps you [...]

President Obama signed into law yesterday the Dodd-Frank Bill, financial reform legislation that is both a response to the recent near economic meltdown and an attempt to prevent similar disasters in the future. Before listing highlights of the bill, here are a few broad-based thoughts.  First, there is an old saw to the effect that generals are [...]

The New York Times this past weekend included an article describing the World Cup soccer jerseys as an example of a green product that is not from a green company (Nike). My fellow Forbes blogger Gregory Unruh recently delved deeper into this topic, asking if green and brown (e.g. not sustainable) products can exist within [...]

You are sitting at your desk, coffee in hand. It’s Saturday morning and you have a lot on your mind. Beyond the usual errands and chores, you want to make time for the things you really care about. For many of us, this means a better lifestyle and future. Care2 Founder and CEO, Randy Paynter, [...]

Flexible workforce: A Growing Trend IBM, which employs about 400,000 people around the globe, is considering converting three quarters of its permanent staff to contractors over the next seven years, according to Personnel Today. While an IBM spokesman denies that there are any such plans, it’s hard to imagine there have not been – at [...]

This afternoon, I listened in on the B Corp quarterly update call.  Almost two years ago, Atayne became a certified B Corporation. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on the long-term interests of their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment. The ultimate goal of [...]

By Janine Kubert, Director of Operations, iReuse “…[T]he goal of sustainability is to increase long-term shareholder and social value, while decreasing industry’s use of materials and reducing negative impacts on the environment.” (Source: EPA) Changing Incentives I was in a meeting with a property management client recently, giving the lead engineer a report on the [...]

Whether it’s preventing drownings or ensuring the best possible workenvironment, The Redwoods Group is all about people. Speaking with a wide-cross section of employees, it’s impossible to miss that these are top-quality professionals who have chosen to commit themselves to a business with a higher mission than money. Jim Fryling, General Counsel and Sr. VP of [...]

The June 12 NY Times contains an article entitled “Those Earth-Friendly Products? Turns Out They’re Profit-Friendly as Well” in which the writer points out the economic benefits for companies of selling consumer products that are green – both higher revenues from marketing green consumer products, and expense reductions from green efficiencies.  While we should all [...]

Eleek is one of the newest additions to the B Corp family. Based in Portland, OR, this sustainable design and manufacturing firm specializes in beautiful, handcrafted lighting, sinks and hardware fixtures. Additionally they offer design, light restoration and manufacturing services based in a history of pattern-making and craftsmanship. With a strong commitment to a reduced [...]

Alleviating global poverty and stemming environmental deterioration are not small or easy problems, but a new network of investors is willing to put their money towards this mission. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)- comprised of large institutional investors such as JPMorgan Chase, TIAA-CREF, Prudential, and Rockefeller Foundation – is working with B Lab to [...]

Founded in 1975 and one of our first B Corps, Untours offers a truly unique travel experience. Rather than simply seeing the artificial face of Europe, travelers can integrate into local culture. Hotels and bus tours are replaced with apartment living and local contacts. Set schedules are tossed out in favor of personal preferences and [...]

“For every thousand strikes at the branch, one strike at the root.” Method has been offsetting the carbon footprint for both employee travel and the manufacture of our plant-based soaps and personal care products since 2004. But last fall we started to think about a better way to invest that money. Working with carbon offset [...]

Little Pickle Press, one of our newly certified B Corps, has achieved excellence in almost all areas of our B Impact Assessment. A children’s media publisher, this organization is dedicated to providing tools which cultivate conscious, responsible children. With products created to inspire, readers are encouraged to help those in need, celebrate diversity and protect [...]

The history of King Arthur Flour can be divided into two parts: there was the first 200 years, when ownership passed down through five generations of the Sands family; then there are the past 19 years, when King Arthur’s employees assumed ownership, and things really started to click. The employees were given control when the [...]

Last Wednesday, when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced his decision about Cape Wind, he said a lot.  But the best thing he said was, quite simply, “This is the final decision of the United States of America.”  Final Decision.  Good decision, great decision, unequivocal decision – by the United States of America!  How rare is that? During [...]

One of our newest additions, B-Line, Sustainable Urban Delivery became a B Corp in February of 2010. This Portland, Oregon based trike-delivery company offers environmentally-responsible delivery and advertising options to local businesses. The substitution of electric-assisted trikes for trucks reduces congestion and CO2 emissions, while providing local jobs. Despite their youth and economic pressure, B-Line [...]

We invite you to Better Know Sunrise Community Bank of St. Paul, Minnesota, a certified B Corporation since June 2009. Based on the premise that social responsibility is their duty, the three banks comprising the Sunrise Bank family develop strong, urban communities through innovative banking.This B Corporations invests in inner-city neighborhoods and has recently been [...]

B Lab’s new social impact investment tool, GIIRS, has been profiled in the Financial Times. This is an exciting step towards directing capital towards positive change. As co-founder Andrew Kassoy is quoted, “A lot of capital is being kept on the sidelines by the lack of a useful tool.” We hope to provide the solution [...]

The World Cup is coming. And there is more to the fierce competition than what we see on the pitch. Look at fierce competition behind the soccer ball itself. China and Pakistan aren’t likely to face off on the field, but they do go head to head in the competition of soccer ball creation every [...]

The name sums up the philosophy: King of Prussia Family Wellness Center. At this B Corp, family is the priority, whether it be the employees’ or the clients’. The entire concept is built upon providing full, custom wellness service for everyone. Whether it be an immediate service in house or referral and follow-up, the team [...]

Barkwheats was founded to serve a purpose, rather than a profit. Inspired by their dogs and a desire to support local small-scale, organic agriculture, this B Corp found its calling in dog biscuits. Grain-free, nutritious and low impact, kibble has never been so beneficial. Ingredients were carefully chosen so as to be available locally and [...]

Sanford Lewis, the attorney for Harrington Investments behind the recent Intel decision to include sustainability as a required consideration of a committee of its Board of Directors, posted this interesting piece on CRSWire. It is about different approaches to corporations adopting the Precautionary Principle to corporation risk management and governance. It is a great read, so check it out.

“Better for people, better for planet, better for performance.” This is how Atayne inspires positive environmental and social change through the power of active lifestyles. Making high-performing athletic gear from “trash”, this B Corporation is re-imagining sports. Starting with plastic bottles, coconut and crab shells and recycled garments, Atayne transforms these into performance tops featuring [...]

You’ve probably heard all the fabulous things you get when you move your technology into “the cloud”…automated back-ups; ability to forgo networks; automated upgrades; lower maintenance; virtual office space, among many others.  Idealist Consulting specializes in moving and supporting organizations with “getting into the cloud” and with over 170 clients, we know what it takes [...]

Free Range Studios lives by the motto, “Creativity with a Conscience”. Rather than focusing on products, this B Corp sells ideas to transform society and create a more just, sustainable planet. Utilizing the full reach of media and powerful storytelling, Free Range promotes the missions of non-profits, political campaigns and socially responsible businesses, or as [...]

It may seem unlikely but with Baypoint Benefits, it is easy to get excited about insurance. With their unique approach to providing complete benefits services, this B Corporation is able to offer no cost, custom plans by basing profit in commissions and operating in a paperless facility. With 24 hour HR consultants and a focus [...]

An Open Letter to B Corp Marketers: It’s funny how the ways we choose to promote sustainability are often the furthest things from sustainable. Marketing – as a business tool – is not sustainability; yet many of our other business functions are. As a career marketer and environmentalist, I have struggled with this concept. Today’s [...]

The state of our planet is a dismal one.  The issues that we face as a global community are incredible with regard to our natural resources and our planets ability to continue in an environmentally stable fashion.  We are at a point in history where it appears that every resource available is in limited and [...]

By now, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of biking. Trading in your SUV for a two-wheeler cuts carbon, saves fuel and money and is generally better for your health. However, for many, this remains unattainable. Where does one park? How does one remain clean? Well, BikeStation is working to change all that. By providing [...]

Further the Work bills itself as a full service consultancy providing nonprofit organizations with strategic planning, organizational development, grant writing, fundraising and project management. However, it is so much more. This B Corporation is a bridge builder: from goals to dreams, from community members to organizations and most of all, across sectors. With a focus [...]

Today’s business world is changing at a dizzying pace. We’ve recently experienced a financial crisis, huge technology shifts and a multitude of new innovations. The old ways of business no longer apply and this can be a confusing, isolating experience. It is with this problem in mind that Founder and President Robert Craven and Scale [...]

Southern Energy Management became a Certified B Corporation in late 2009. They’ve now created this wonderful video to explain why it is important and what this means for their company. We love their creativity in spreading the word and are very proud to include them in our community. Visit their site to learn more. Interested [...]

Will pigs ever fly? In 401(k) circles there is a saying: Educating employees on investing is like teaching pigs to fly; They never will fly, and get sick of being thrown off the roof. Now before you think this is rude and elitist let me explain. A Disconnect A one on one session explaining principles [...]

An “online bookstore with a soul” – Doesn’t that already sound better than typical retail? Harnessing the power of the internet,Better World Books sells second hand and donated books to fund high-impact literacy programs throughout the world. Using the strength of numbers, this B Corp has managed to channel the reach of many to raise [...]

I cannot deny it, solar is sexy.  Everyone is talking about it. There are government incentives and rebates to help defray some of the cost, customers and employees are asking about it, and there is no arguing with the fact that we need an alternative to coal, nuclear, and fossil fuels.  But slapping solar panels [...]

“A mindful purchase that creates balance between the style-conscious fashionista and the cause-related passionista alike.” This is how President of Indigenous Designs, Matt Reynolds, describes his products. Creating organic, fair trade apparel, this B Corp is built upon a global, socioeconomic trade-model which encourages indigenous peoples to organize. They then go even further and help [...]

Mindfulness is all about extending awareness into every moment of every day. It is about living in the present and bringing this consciousness to every aspect of your life. This is how Stuart Rudick of Mindful Investors approaches business. As he’ll tell anyone, he is fortunate enough to “marry my personal passion and my personal [...]

The recent events associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill seem to be in need of a bit of explanation. What we the public have been told is at best misleading and at worst an outright lie. We are facing the worst environmental disaster in the history of this country.  Never before have so many [...]

In his New York Times Op-ed piece, “Don’t LEED Us Astray” (10 May 2010), Alec Appelbaum addresses an essential problem of the LEED rating system: it measures the possibility of a building performing in a sustainable manner, instead of the building’s actual performance. This is a valid and understandable complaint. However, there exists an additional [...]

C. K. Prahalad’s death a few weeks ago caused some reflection on my “for-benefit” business education. Some may not have known the author of “The Fortune At The Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits,” and the man that Business Week called “a brilliant teacher at the University of Michigan, [someone who] may well [...]

Forward thinking is what Greenheart Global is all about. A green product development, manufacturing, design and distribution company, this B Corp considers not just production but disposal as well. While most design companies feel their task is complete as soon as the product leaves the cash register, Greenheart Global conceptualizes the entire life-cycle. Made from [...]

Thomas Friedman wrote several weeks ago about our interconnected yet uncertain future. “In a world where our demand for Chinese-made sneakers produces pollution that melts South America’s glaciers, in a world where Greek tax-evasion can weaken the euro, threaten the stability of Spanish banks, and tank the Dow, our values and ethical systems eventually have to [...]

Bloomberg Businessweek has just released their Second Annual U.S. Roundup of America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs and seven B Corps have been included. Selected from more than 200 candidates, these B Corps are: Eleek Napo Pharmaceuticals DripTech Mobis (Bikestation) The Redwoods Group Source 44 Sustainable Harvest Congratulations, this is a huge accomplishment! Please support these companies [...]

Who says being green doesn’t pay? Recyclebank has found a great way to motivate people to recycle: Reward them. By becoming a long-term contractor with various cities, this B Corp can track and measure a household’s recycling and quantify it into RecycleBank Points. These can then be used to shop with over 2,000 different businesses. [...]

Wall Street caused the BP disaster.  Short-termism is the problem.  The Benefit Corporation is a solution. The Old Rules For public companies, decisions are driven by the quarterly earnings call.  Meet the numbers, keep your job.  Beat the numbers, collect your bonus.  The rules of this game are stunningly simple.  And they are backed by [...]

Diana Aviv, president of Independent Sector a coalition of charities and foundations, recently expressed her concern over socially minded corporations, like B Corps, being granted tax exemptions. In a video posted at Philanthropy.com, she notes that this may take resources away from nonprofits and weaken our nation’s budget. As the co-founders of B Lab, the [...]

We all know the importance of our purchasing decisions but sometimes it can be down-right overwhelming. We now have thousands of choices and need PhDs just to understand all the labels and certifications. Luckily, there’s GoodGuide to take care that. Created to empower the public with better information on the environmental, social and health performance [...]

B Lab: In April, Maryland became the first state in the nation to pass Benefit Corporation legislation, creating a new class of corporation which is legally obligated to create benefit for society, as well as shareholders.  We’re here with Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin.  Sen. Raskin was the sponsor of Benefit Corp legislation in Maryland. [...]

Started in a small Oakland, CA apartment, Numi Organic Tea has grown from one sister-brother duo’s imagination to a nationally distributed, organic, fair-trade tea company. Just like their original flowering teas, this B Corp has blossomed to become a symbol of good products and business practices. In addition to their dedication to organic and fair [...]