One would expect B Corporations to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd… and they did. B Corps are committed to protecting and preserving the Earth and its bounty every day, in whichever way they can. In our AMS Earth Day blog the Green Team reviewed the many things that can be done within a fulfillment company to reduce the environmental impact. Readers can CLICK HERE to view that report.
In celebration of Earth Day, an article at bcorporation.net spoke about the changes B Corps are committed to, and 17 UN Sustainable Development goals agreed to by member states of the United Nations, that “… provide a framework for impact and an opportunity for innovation that incorporates climate action as well as climate justice.” Those goals, that begin with ending poverty, and continue with quality education and clean water, can be viewed HERE.
In this week’s article, the author explains how B Corps are prioritizing the environment every day and how they incorporate sustainable development goals into their solutions. We hope you enjoy the following article, featuring reports on different B Corps, large and small. Click HERE for the full article at bcorporation.net.
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Climate Action With Style: B Corps in the Ethical Fashion Industry Minimize Environmental Impact Through Healthy Supply Chains
How the UN Sustainable Development Goals Can Shape Better Business Practices and Drive Climate Action
The evolution of the fast fashion industry over the last few decades ushered in high styles at lower prices. It also created an environmental cost in the natural resources used in manufacturing and the landfill space taken up by discarded apparel, as well as the human cost for factory employees who put in long hours at low pay.
As retail brands cranked up speedy production of the latest looks, they also consumed growing amounts of water and created higher greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). But some ethical fashion companies are bucking those trends, taking climate action to reduce their water use and GHG while ensuring workers earn a living wage.
In honor of Earth Month 2021, B The Change talked with the leaders of three ethical fashion industry B Corps about the ways they incorporate the SDGs into their everyday practices to take positive climate action.
Adila Cokar, of The Good Tee, an Ontario-based fashion company that focuses on three SDGs. For SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the B Corp aims for a transparent supply chain by partnering with suppliers who share a common vision of efficiency, openness, and transparency. Its Fair Trade certification addresses SDG 1: No Poverty, by promoting sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers while protecting fragile ecosystems. For SDG 5: Gender Equality, Good Tee works Assisi Garments a factory in India, operated by Franciscan nuns and sisters to support their old age home and orphanage.
Click HERE for info on The Good Tee
Click HERE to visit their website.
Shamini Dhana, Founder of Dhana Inc, a California-based fashion technology company that currently focuses on eight SDGs. These include SDG 5: Gender Equality, as a woman-owned and women-led company that employs women from diverse groups and backgrounds; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, with its circular fashion collection custom made by a small apparel studio in Columbus, Ohio, that meets high standards for its work conditions: a safe environment, regular hours, and fair pay. For SDG 13: Climate Action, Dhana conducts Life Cycle Assessments on all products and has signed the NetZero 2030 commitment to reduce GHG by the end of this decade. And for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Dhana reduces waste and pollution through repurposing, upcycling, and using take back programs to incentivize the consumer to be part of the solution.
Click HERE for info on Dhana Inc.
Click HERE ti visit their website
Michelle Sheldon, President of Eco Promotional Products Inc., which currently touches on 12 of the 17 SDGs through its work. The Illinois-based, woman-owned small business focuses on reducing waste through all of its product sourcing, not only apparel. As Sheldon says, “This comes with a lot of other benefits to help innovation, ensure sustainable consumption, promote healthy living and inclusivity, protect land and water, and try to combat climate change. Instead of adding SDGs, we are trying to be stronger and louder about the ones we already touch on. It’s a lot and there is so much work to be done.” Its focus includes SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 5: Gender Equality; and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Click here for info on Eco Promotional Products Inc.
Click HERE to visit their website.