Bigelow Tea earns re-certification as a B Corporation
Image: Bigelow Tea
Bigelow Tea, the U.S. specialty tea company, has announced that it has achieved recertification as a Certified B Corporation, joining more than 6,000 companies globally that are committed to using their businesses as a positive force for social and environmental change.
Third generation President and CEO, Cindi Bigelow, carries on her grandmother’s legacy by giving back to people and the planet. Simply because it’s the right thing to do. “Being certified, and now recertified, as a B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded by my grandmother, Ruth Campbell Bigelow, over 75 years ago. Re-certification proves how intentional we remain behind our commitment to a purpose far beyond making profits, and our aim to always do better. We’re committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability and transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities.”
In order to be certified/recertified as a B Corp (B stands for “Benefit”), a company goes through a rigorous assessment of its existing business practices. The evaluation is conducted by B Lab, a non-profit organization that measures how a company treats workers, suppliers, the environment, and the community. B Lab Auditors examine the company’s social and environmental performance to verify operations are adhering to the highest standards.
Always striving for continuous improvement, Bigelow Tea uses the assessment as a tool to celebrate strengths and identify areas of opportunity. As a result, the organization establishes a road map to identify short- and long-term goals. In terms of the environment, focus areas have included mapping a global carbon footprint and achieving a Green-e certification (facilities are powered by 100% renewable energy). The next wave of improvement areas for Bigelow Tea are being drafted by a taskforce and evaluated at the executive level.
Bigelow Tea has long prided itself on its commitment to give back to the community it operates in as well, including charitable initiatives centred around the annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. A community-supported road race and walk, efforts have contributed over $2 million to local non-profits since 1988.
The bottom line, Cindi Bigelow shared, “Our mission statement calls for ‘making a difference everyday’. B Corp certification and recertification is a good benchmark to show our progress against this goal.