Coast Capital Champions Fellow B Corps, Prioritizing ESG with Re-Certification
What does it take to be a B Corp? We have some favourite B Corps that we buy from regularly including Fresh Prep, Saul Good, Salt Spring Island Coffee and Persephone Beer and we have a giveaway on Instagram worth over $200+for these four products. We had a few questions about B Corps and we’re lucky enough to have Roanne Weyermars, VP Public Affairs & Communications and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Coast Capital Savings, and a Board Member for B Local Vancouver.
What does it mean to be B Corp certified?
Thanks so much for the opportunity to share the B Corp story and empower Vancouverites to make values-based purchasing decisions and use their dollars to support the practices and brand actions that align with their beliefs — something I believe is more important than ever as the world grapples with so many systemic and social issues.
B Corp certified organizations are part of a growing network of brands that are using business as a force for good and striving to advance change on the societal issues we face every day by operating in pursuit of sustainable well-being for all people, communities, and the planet. In using profit to a greater end, these organizations are committing to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative future.
When a business achieves B Corp certification, it means that they’ve met high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency in their business practices. The certification assessment, which companies must complete every three years, looks at everything from the way they treat their employees to their environmental performance to their governance structure.
At Coast Capital, a federal financial cooperative headquartered in Surrey, we have been B Corp certified since 2018 and I am incredibly proud that we successfully recertified in late 2021. In the (just over) three years since our original certification, we’re immensely proud to have strengthened our score. Our certification is more important than ever as we develop as a social purpose organization, as it enables us to measure our impact and holds us accountable in realizing our mission to build better futures for our employees, our members, and our communities.
As a credit union and financial cooperative, we have always been committed to working with others to create positive change and by being aware, transparent, and intentional about the work we do, we can all work together to make an impact.
Who are some other BC brands that are B Corp certified?
There are 297 B Corp certified businesses across the country and Coast Capital is part of the amazing community of B Corps that call BC home. Coast Capital is linking arms with our fellow B Corps to shine a light on some well-loved, BC-born and bred companies who are also in the business of driving change as a force for good.
If you’re looking for a trusted financial partner who can help you save, grow, and protect your money while also supporting an organization deeply rooted in its commitment to making positive change, look to Coast Capital. If you’re looking for the same in the companies who roast your coffee, brew your beer, or prep your meals, check out the list below.
- Salt Spring Coffee: The top Canadian certified organic and fair-trade coffee roaster, Salt Spring Coffee is in Richmond, BC, and has been providing organic, shade-grown coffee that’s better for the planet for 26 years. The company also participates in a Zero Waste Program and diverts approximately 88% of its waste from the landfill each week. You can find Salt Spring beans at your local grocery store to bring purpose to your caffeine fix.
- Saul Good Gift Co: Saul Good Gift Co offers award-winning gift baskets that tell a good story! Working with local, small-batch, artisan suppliers in Vancouver, these gift baskets are filled with locally made, ultra-gourmet goodies. A certified B Corp, Saul Good ranks #11 in the world for businesses of its size. This is Good – with a capital ‘G’ gift giving.
- Fresh Prep: Fresh Prep delivers convenient and sustainable food solutions to make your life in and out of the kitchen as easy and stress-free as possible. From providing high-quality ingredients and delicious recipes to making sustainability more accessible, Fresh Prep is changing the game by offering a meal kit experience without the single-use plastic and waste. A B Corp certified company, Fresh Prep was recognized as Vancouver’s #1 meal kit in 2019. Save yourself the chopping while also saving on your household waste.
- Persephone Brewing: Persephone Brewing produces quality craft beer through its “farmhouse” approach that integrates onsite farming in support of local food security, regenerative agriculture, and amazing beer. A proud B Corp, the brewing company uses sustainable and responsible land management practices that directly benefit farmers and consumers. That Friday afternoon pint packs a powerful and purpose-driven punch.
Do you have some tips to use purchasing power to support companies that place purpose over profit and seek to positively impact society?
Great question! At Coast Capital, we like to think of it as using profits to a greater end.
We are all considering how our choices as consumers impact the greater good and I love that. In fact, 58% of consumers are now using their dollars to “vote” by buying or advocating for brands based on their beliefs and values.
A great first step for consumers who want to support companies doing good in the world is to think about what you are already spending on and take steps to make those purchases from responsible businesses and brands.
It’s also a good idea to find out where you can make the greatest difference. For example, the fashion industry is a top global polluter — are there brands taking steps to decrease their carbon footprint with sustainable manufacturing that uses natural materials and produces lasting garments? From there, you can cast a vote with your money to support the brands that take a stand for the chance that you want to see in the world.
However, not all companies walk the walk when it comes to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility so it’s important to be on the lookout for “impact washing” where companies claim to be driving real change but are unable to support these claims with evidence. One key indicator that a company is truly making a positive impact on society is a B Corp certification. This signifies that a company is advocating for global change and taking tangible action through every aspect of the business to power that change. Whether it is where you bank or your choice of beer, where you invest and spend your money is powerful.
