Erin Covey-Smith
Stonyfield, Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Cabot… these are a few household brands most people would associate with words like “green,” “sustainable” or “socially aware.” Such words can be hard to define, but these companies – and many others around the globe, as well as here in Maine – back up their commitments to the earth and the people stewarding it by maintaining a “B Corporation” status.
The “B” in B Corporation stands for benefit, and B Corps – as they are called – use the power of business to work toward solving social and environmental problems. They meet comprehensive performance standards and offer a transparent look into their practices, including their commitments to their workers, suppliers and community as well as to the environment and their shareholders. All of these standards must meet a minimum verified score on the rigorous “B Impact Assessment” in order for a company to achieve B Corp status. Learn more at bcorporation.net.
Maine is currently home to 11 B Corps varying in size and industry but all committed to making a positive impact in the community and on the planet.
Allagash Brewing Company: Maine brewery committed to the community. They donate 1% of all sales to local nonprofits, help Maine farmers by pledging to use one million pounds of local grain in their beer yearly, use a solar array, buy wind credits to offset our power, and side stream around 99% of their waste. www.allagash.com
Androscoggin Bank: Maine community financial institution with a mission to enrich the lives of its clients, employees and local communities through trusted relationships. www.androscogginbank.com
Coffee by Design: Running four coffee houses and distributing their fair-trade, locally roasted beans around the world, Coffee by Design works with the goals of being a positive influence in the community and environmentally and socially equitable in their coffee imports. www.coffeebydesign.com
Cornerstone Financial Planning: Cornerstone’s shared value of environmental stewardship runs throughout the firm, via the sustainable practices they employ in the office and home lives, as well as via charitable giving, and investment options. They donate 1% of gross revenue to organizations that strive to effect positive change in the world at large. www.cornerstoneplanning.com
Great Works Internet: GWI is an Internet Service Provider that builds 21st century, internet infrastructure. GWI embraces pro-consumer practices and believes that it is their human obligation to offer the best possible service to its customers while holding strong to the principles of net-neutrality, open-access, and data privacy. www.gwi.net
Insource Renewables: Insource Renewables is actively engaged in the development of responsible solar policy in Maine and is working to return energy self-sufficiency and the energy economy back to Maine communities through the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, clean heating, and electric transportation. www.insourcerenewables.com
Luke’s Lobster: Luke’s Lobster brings the sea to the city, anchored by a commitment to sustainably-sourced seafood, traceable back to the source. www.lukeslobster.com
MaineWorks, LLC: A temporary staffing company providing work opportunities in industrial construction to those in recovery from substance abuse or who have a previous drug or alcohol-related felonies; come from low socio-economic backgrounds; are new Americans or Veterans; or face other employment barriers. www.maineworks.us
ReVision Energy: An employee-owned solar company educating communities about solar and installing municipal, commercial and residential solar setups in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. www.revisionenergy.com
Tom’s of Maine: Tom’s of Maine personal care products are made from naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients and never tested on animals. Most Tom’s of Maine products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and gluten-free. All packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. www.tomsofmaine.com
Wicked Joe: A Topsham-based, family-owned coffee company running an organic certified roastery in an energy-efficient facility. They also brew their beans at their coffee shop – Bard Coffee in Portland. www.wickedjoe.com
Last updated: 03/15/2021
