Dive Brief:
- Rubicon Global, Recycle Track Systems and Recyclebank are among several U.S.-based waste and recycling businesses recently named as Best for the World 2018 honorees. Presented by the global nonprofit organization B Lab, the awards recognize companies for their excellence and commitment to social and sustainable performance, accountability and transparency.
- Companies can receive nominations in six categories: community, customers, environment, workers, governance and overall. Recycle Track Systems won in the environment category, Recyclebank won for governance and Rubicon Global won in both the environment and governance categories.
- Several other smaller North American companies involved in recycling, composting and sustainability consulting were also recognized. To be eligible for the awards, the business must be a certified B Corp and score in the top 10th percentile in its respective categories.
Dive Insight:
B Lab emphasizes that the companies chosen to receive the awards aren't just best "in" the world, but rather "for" the world, with the stated hope that someday all companies strive to achieve such status.
To win a Best for the World award in the environment category, companies are assessed on their commitment to shrinking their "environmental footprints" and "having a regenerative relationship with the natural world." Environmental effects of a company's facilities, materials, emissions, supply chain and resource/energy use all come into question. Assessments for the governance category — for which Recyclebank and Rubicon Global won — check a company's commitment to growing its mission and values, ethics, accountability and transparency.
More than 2,500 businesses across more than 130 industries and 50 countries have earned B Corp status since the program's inception in 2007. However, a notable proportion of the waste and recycling industry B Corp certifications are held by businesses outside the U.S. Achieving B Corp certification sets companies apart from others, much like a product receiving a Good Housekeeping, Fair Trade or USDA Organic Seal. It's considered an honor among companies that want to be known for doing good instead of just making a profit.
