We are very proud to have recently become a B Corp! But what does that actually mean? How do you get such a certificate, and what have we done to make our chocolate more sustainable?
B Corp Certificate
The B Corp certification is an international certification for companies that have a positive impact on people and the environment. The word "B Corp" stands for 'Benefit Corporation', and with this certification you can show that you as a company find it important to not only pursue financial value, but also value for people and the environment.
The entire business operation is considered, so your impact on the value chain, your production processes, but also for example how you treat your staff. You can get points in five key impact areas : Governance, Employees, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants having to achieve a benchmark score of at least 80 (out of 200) points and provide evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices.
Who else is a B Corps?
Worldwide, there are approximately 8974 companies B Corp certified. In the Netherlands, more than three hundred head offices of companies have the certificate. Well-known brands such as Tony's Chocolonely, Dopper, Johnny's Cashew and Patagonia are B Corp. And now we are too!
We are even the first company in the Netherlands to become a B Corp as a craft company. With this we want to be the example for other craft family businesses. Also nice to know: De Bonte Koe is one of 39 B Corp companies with a female director!
Our path to sustainability
Three years ago we started our certification process at B Lab, inspired by Yvon Chouinard's book 'Let my people go surfing'. Our mission is to make the tastiest, fair and handmade chocolate in the Netherlands. And to do so with the most positive impact on people, animals and the environment. We wanted to learn how our business operations were already doing, and where we could improve.
In recent years we have taken several steps to improve our impact:
- Switching to organically certified and traceable cocoa from the Grupo Conacado Cooperative in the Dominican Republic.
- Improvement and recyclability of our packaging.
- Installation of solar panels on our buildings in Schiedam.
- Purchase of an electric van.
- Investing in pension plans for temporary employees.
- Collaborations with organizations such as JINC and sponsorship of a children's surfing team in Dakar.
See also our mission and impact report here .