B Corp movement, the worldwide movement which is committed to building a more inclusive, greener and more sustainable economy, rewarded Harrogate Water’s commitment to improving its environmental impact by awarding the company with B Corp accreditation.
Photo: Compliance Manager Alan Sandel and HR Manager Fiona Warrington led Harrogate Water’s B Corp bid.
Becoming certified as a B Corporation goes beyond product or business performance indicators. To achieve accreditation, a company’s entire social and environmental footprint is measure, together with an evaluation to assess how business operations impact on colleagues, community, environment and customers in pursuit of sustainable growth.
B Corp is more than just a snapshot of the here and now: qualifying organisations must commit to positive corporate social responsibility impact in the long term, incorporating transparency and accountability into the business from the shop floor to the boardroom.
Every B Corp organisation undergoes a rigorous business impact assessment, which is scored and published online. (You can study Harrogate Water’s assessment HERE on the B Corp web site)
Worldwide, more than 3,000 companies have become B Corp accredited, forming a global movement of profit-with-purpose businesses, working for a healthier environment, social responsibility and the creation of high-quality employment. More than two hundred UK businesses have joined B Corp.
‘Care for the environment and social responsibility are in our DNA.’ James Cain
Harrogate Water CEO James Cain OBE said: “We are proud to be the first company in North Yorkshire to have achieved this accreditation and join a growing global family of inspiring businesses committed to effecting positive change. Care for the environment and social responsibility are in our DNA. Harrogate’s unique springs were first discovered in 1571 and we are proud to carry the baton for today’s generation, producing and bottling the most natural and healthiest beverage on the shelf.
“We operate from one of the world’s most environmentally efficient bottling plants, a global centre of excellence and a showcase for the bottled water industry. Our rapid growth in recent years has been achieved because of and not despite of our commitment to sustainability and community involvement.
“With every step we take to improve our business performance, we seek to improve our social and environmental footprint. B Corp accreditation validates our achievements but, more importantly, demonstrates our commitment to and passion for sustainability and community involvement in the longer term. As part of the B Corp movement, we look forward to more sustainable growth, which will benefit all of our stakeholders.”
Other UK accredited businesses include The Body Shop, Innocent Drinks, Bulb Energy and The Guardian.
There are further articles on Harrogate Water HERE on Planet Vending.
