B CORP MONTH AT COALTOWN

At Coaltown, we’ve always believed that business has the power to drive positive change. That is what led us to pursue and ultimately achieve B Corporation (B Corp) certification a second time round. Becoming a B Corp is a reflection of our commitment to creating a business that balances profit with purpose, doing good for both people and the planet while still thriving as a company.

Becoming a Certified B Corporation wasn’t an easy feat—it was a journey that required hard work, dedication and a deep commitment to evaluating how we do business. The B Corp certification is not just a label; it’s a rigorous standard that evaluates a company’s social and environmental impact, governance practices and transparency. We began by conducting a thorough audit of our operations, looking at every aspect of our business—from how we treat our employees to how we source our coffee beans and the environmental impact of our packaging. We knew it was about more than just doing good—it was about doing good and proving that it’s possible for businesses to thrive while making a meaningful difference in the world.

After months of hard work aligning our practices with B Corp standards, we were proud to achieve our first certification in 2019. This wasn’t just a milestone for us—it was a reflection of our ongoing commitment to be a force for good. We didn’t see B Corp status as an endpoint but rather as an important step in an ongoing process of continuous improvement.

We’re proud to share that we recently received an updated score of 98.0. The median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9. B Corp score. We are deeply committed to maintaining a high level of accountability and transparency in all aspects of our business. Achieving a high score reflects the progress we’ve made in areas such as governance, environmental impact and community involvement. But for us, it’s not just about the score—it’s about consistently striving to raise the bar and continuously improve our practices in order to create a business that can help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. It influences the way we source our coffee, how we package our products and even the way we reduce waste in our operations. We are proud of our strong relationships with the farmers and cooperatives that provide our coffee. We are committed to sourcing our beans in ways that support fair wages, sustainable farming practices and environmentally friendly methods. Our partners in the coffee-growing regions prioritise organic farming, shade-grown coffee and other practices that help preserve biodiversity and protect local ecosystems. By paying fair prices and building strong partnerships, we ensure that coffee farmers and their communities thrive alongside our business.

Packaging is another area where we’ve made significant strides in reducing our environmental footprint. We’ve moved away from single-use plastics, opting for recyclable materials whenever possible. Our coffee bags are designed with sustainability in mind and we’re continuously researching and testing new ways to make our packaging even more eco-friendly. We understand that packaging plays a huge role in waste and we’re committed to minimising it at every step of the process. We also encourage our customers to recycle the packaging responsibly, reinforcing the importance of sustainability across our entire supply chain.

Waste reduction is another priority for us. We’ve implemented several initiatives to minimise waste throughout our operations. For instance, we’ve worked to make our production processes more efficient, reducing excess waste wherever possible. We’re also committed to recycling and composting materials whenever we can. 

Being a B Corp is not a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous commitment to improving our social and environmental performance. We regularly review our practices to ensure that we’re meeting the highest standards of accountability and sustainability. We also maintain a strong focus on innovation, constantly seeking out new technologies and practices that can help us improve both our products and our processes.

As we move forward, we want to inspire other businesses to consider the impact they have on the world. Being a B Corp is about leading by example, showing that business success doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet or its people. We believe that through responsible sourcing, sustainable packaging, reducing waste and limiting our carbon footprint, we can continue to grow while having a positive impact on the world around us.

At Coaltown, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we know there’s always more to be done. By staying true to our values and our commitment to B Corp standards, we’re not only creating a thriving business—we’re contributing to a more sustainable, equitable and just world. The journey is far from over and we’re excited to continue improving and evolving to a better future.

As we celebrate our B Corp journey, we invite you to follow us this month for exciting updates and opportunities! Be sure to stay tuned for our giveaway on Instagram in collaboration with Tiny Rebel and other incredible Welsh B Corp brands. We’ll also be hosting a special Q&A day with Josh, our Director of People and Coffee, where you can learn more about our commitment to sustainability and social impact. Throughout the month, we’ll highlight the ways we continuously challenge ourselves to meet and exceed the standards of a B Corp company. Join us on this journey as we continue to grow, innovate and make a positive impact!