Nice logo! But what does B Corp Certified mean?
Glad you asked! Certified B Corporations (B Corps, for short) are for-profit companies dedicated to using business as a force for good. B Corps meet high verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to each of their stakeholders.
Who are our stakeholders? They would include our customers, workers, suppliers, communities and the environment. So, we are bound—legally and morally—and determined to make decisions that positively affect not just our bottom line but that impact our stakeholders in positive ways.
B Corp certification is no walk in the park and all B Corps must go through recertification every three years. Approximately 60% of organizations that apply to become certified fail in their first attempt. We are so very proud to be one of the few that have earned certification on our first attempt in 2022 and continue to work hard everyday to improve upon our strong foundation.
As a consumer, you should feel good knowing that you’re buying innovative, sustainable home, office and gym products from a family-owned company that cares about you and acts with your (and other stakeholder) best interests at heart.
Here are just a few of the important ways we try to do good.
Sustainability
- We are a founding member of the Community Solar Program by Ameren Missouri, home to our headquarters and primary distribution facility in St. Louis. Ameren built, maintains, and operates a shared solar system in Montgomery County, Missouri that members fund at varying rates. Participation is capped at half of a company’s average monthly usage and we are currently committed at this level.
- Our headquarters and primary distribution center in St. Louis features 100% LED lighting with motion sensors throughout. Major updates to our lighting system took place in 2015 as part of the Ameren Missouri Act on Energy BizSavers program.
- Almost all of our area rugs are made of natural fibers and recycled materials.
- All of our poufs and ottomans are filled with EPP (expanded polypropylene) which is 100% recyclable and non-toxic.
- Our poufs and ottomans are imported as empty shells from India and filled domestically which allows us to reduce significantly the fuel used on a per item basis on this overseas journey. Filling these items domestically also helps support U.S. workers and our local economy.
- We are strategically focused at the innovation and design phase to use sustainable materials. For example, we are developing a new line of desk accessories that uses 100% FSC certified wood which will hit the market in late 2023.
- Nearly 100% of our product packaging is made from materials that are fully recyclable and we’re working aggressively towards complete recyclability.
Investing in Workers
- We offer best-in-class pay and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance and 401(K) plans for all full-time employees which begins on their first day of employment.
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We are proud to partner with GoodWeave whose mission is to end child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in weaving communities. GoodWeave rescues children directly from the looms and strives to deter the employment and exploitation of other children. GoodWeave also inspects and certifies carpet-weaving facilities and authorizes use of its trademarked label on rugs made at looms meeting GoodWeave standards. The certification program helps fund educational opportunities for children as well as support and resources for families and weaving communities.
Community Contributions
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We have been a constant and committed supporter of Habitat for Humanity in the metropolitan St. Louis region since 2013. As a long term partner, we have just completed a multi-year giving commitment of more than $275,000 in home decor items to The Restore which is dedicated to reusing and repurposing donated goods and diverting items from landfills in order to lessen the societal impact on the environment. -
We are a proud sponsors of Pedal the Cause, whose mission is to provide critical funding for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital through their annual cycling challenge. - We are proud sponsors of the Olivette Turkey Trot, an annual 5K with 2,000+ participants. 100% of its proceeds go to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry which serves over 6,500 people each month in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
- We are proud sponsors of the Saturday Sessions at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, MO. This is a free, live music concert program that takes place each Saturday morning mid-May through early October at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market. It’s the best!