TL;DR
I thought I was doing my bit for the planet. And then I discovered B Corps—a game-changer for conscious consumers.

I’m one of those annoying ethical/eco people. I’m massively concerned about my impact on the planet. I’m careful in my purchasing decisions. I know the difference between want and need. Barely anything gets wasted in my home. My bins (small ones) are rarely even half full. My homemade reed diffuser scent is Eau de virtue. I read labels, research brands, and actively seek out ethical options. I’m fully signed up to the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. So why did it take me so long to come across B Corps?

If you’re a fellow conscious consumer and thinking B what now?, stick around.

So, what does B Corp stand for?

The B in B Corp stands for Benefit for all. B Corps are legally required to balance profit with purpose, after meeting a rigorous certification process. The label tells you the business meets high standards of social and environmental impact, transparency, and accountability. It’s a business that considers how its decisions affect people, planet, and profit. In short, it means they walk the walk.

How big Is the B Corps movement?

Globally, there are now over 8,000 B Corps across more than 77 countries, spanning 150+ industries. From banks and breweries to clothing brands and cleaning companies, it’s a full-spectrum movement.

Some big names you might know? Patagonia, Danone, Ben & Jerry’s, Allbirds, Innocent, and The Body Shop.

How any UK B Corps are there?

As of early 2025, there are over 2,000 certified B Corps in the UK. That’s a massive jump from just a few years ago—and it shows that businesses here are waking up to the fact that doing good is good business. I watched a webinar recently which touched on B Corps and included, remarkably, (to me) a 2 person micro business which had achieved certification.

A quick search on the B Corp website tells me there are 770 UK B Corps with under 9 employees. So, it’s not solely a large brand/big bucks thing. There’s a UK-based craft ale brewer – Toast Ale – for example, who make craft beer using surplus fresh bread that would otherwise go to waste. Genius! Plus, profits go to fixing the food system.

Why it matters
B Corps take the guesswork out of shopping ethically. You don’t have to do a deep dive into a company’s supply chain or read its CSR report. The B Corp badge tells you they’ve done the hard work—and passed.

So if you, like me, are trying to vote with your wallet, and make guilt free purchases, learning to spot that little “B” logo might just be the shortcut you didn’t know you needed. And if you are a business who is already doing good you might want to check out B Corp certification.

Find a B Corp and/or explore the movement via https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp