Seem impossible to tackle the world’s social problems by
yourself? It’s not! There are small actions you can make for a big
social change impact.
Support B-Corporations
Support companies that value both profit and purpose. Certified
B-Corporations, affectionately called B Corps, are “businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose” according to the Certified B Corporation website.
To qualify as a B Corp, a firm must have an explicit social or environmental mission and are legally required to look out for the best interests of their workers, the community and the environment as well as its shareholders.
B Corps use their businesses as a platform to battle inequality, poverty and global warming while boosting our communities by providing sustainable and high-quality jobs for locals. They’re shifting the private sector’s focus on increasing profits for shareholders to a sustainable business platform that benefits shareholders and all stakeholders.
The Certified B-Corporation website states that B Corps “are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.”
Over 3.3K companies from 150 industries have this certification. A few of the most well-known B Corps are Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, Method, Eileen Fisher and Athleta. Check out the B Corps directory to see which companies are making social change!
Shop Fairtrade
Another way to help our environment and support the people who make your products is by making sure they’re ethically sourced.
What is ethically sourced? It translates into fair wages and a safe work environment for workers,and a production process that keeps the environment healthy, and builds a stronger economy for the local community. All are key to helping our brothers and sisters in developing and emerging countries build a better future and a stronger economy.
When you shop ethically, you support human rights. Check out this article that helps explain different Fairtrade labels. Fairtrade International’s mission is “to connect disadvantaged producers and consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control of their lives.”
Fairtrade International supports 193,000+ workers and about 1.5 million farmers at their certified plantations and small scale producer organizations. Fairtrade also considers the supply chain of a product – meaning all the hands that help to make it.
Stop Global Warming
One of the best ways to help the local and global environment is to cut back on or stop using single-use plastic.
Single-use plastics “are goods that are made primarily from fossil fuel-based chemicals and are meant to be disposed of right after use” according to Courtney Lindwall, a researcher and writer at NRDC.
These plastics end up in landfills, our local parks and streams and oceans. This poses a threat to wildlife and the health of our water sources.
Eco-friendly companies use recycled materials when packaging their products. This includes recycled paper, plastic, resin, and using glass.
Some companies such as Lush Cosmetics and Bite have transformed the way we use everyday toiletries. Lush promotes its bar shampoos and conditioners that can last up to three months and use zero-plastic. Bite has developed tablet toothpaste bites you chew to activate as toothpaste. The bites even come in a reusable (and refillable) glass container.
Both companies created innovative ways to cut back and even eliminate single-use plastics in their products. Supporting such companies promotes an eco-conscientious lifestyle.
While it might seem like such small changes would have a small impact on the world’s environmental and social issues, there is power with numbers. As we collectively shift our shopping habits, we can have a huge impact on the health of our environment and the way companies conduct business.
As consumers demand companies meet these expectations or face financial loss, they’ll be more receptive to changing and providing what the customer wants beyond just the product.
Together, we have power to change the world!
Jenna works for the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown as our Nonprofit Management Specialist. A Marketing and Management Major at Youngstown State University, Jenna, class of 2021, holds minors in Nonprofit Leadership and Advertising & Public Relations. Additionally, she is a Beeghly Fellow with the Ohio Small Business Development Center.