As Thames Water sinks under the weight of £16.8 billion in debt—and former and current executives benefit from generous payouts—it’s hard not to feel disheartened by the state of corporate responsibility. Once again, the British public is left picking up the pieces while profit-driven shareholders enjoy the rewards. But today, amid the mess, we find a beacon of hope. B-Corp has just announced it has surpassed 10,000 certified companies worldwide. That milestone is more than just a number—it’s a call to action and a reminder that business can be done differently.
What Is a B-Corp?
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and legal accountability. They operate not just for profit, but for the benefit of people and the planet. Unlike traditional corporations that prioritise short-term shareholder returns, B-Corps are legally bound to consider the long-term impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Becoming a B-Corp isn’t easy—and that’s exactly the point. The certification process involves rigorous assessment, covering everything from environmental impact and supply chain ethics to employee wellbeing and charitable commitments. It’s a holistic evaluation of what it really means to be a responsible, sustainable, and ethical business.
Only the Best Get In
To put it into perspective, only 0.00001% of businesses achieve B-Corp certification. It’s not just a badge—it’s a benchmark. And we’re proud to say that Mama Bamboo is not only part of this elite group but is also the highest-scoring nappy brand in the world. Yes, the best of the best.
But, let’s be honest—it costs more to do the right thing.
It’s cheap to make a plastic, chemical-laden nappy. It’s not cheap to source sustainable fibres and plant-based materials. In fact it costs 15-20 times to do it properly. It’s easy to ignore FSC, OEKO-TEX, and Nordic Swan standards. It’s much cheaper to overlook workers’ rights, environmental damage, and ethical labour practices. And when it comes to giving back, it costs very little to run a shallow PR campaign, versus legally committing to donating 20% of your net profits every year, like we do.
Even carbon neutrality can be gamed—some companies throw a few thousand at a consultant and announce they’ll be "carbon neutral by 2099," offsetting through unverified schemes while making no real changes. That’s not good enough. B-Corps are required to do better—now, not decades from now.
Doing the Right Thing Is Hard—But It’s Worth It
Being a B-Corp is not the easy path. Competing against cheaper, less ethical alternatives is a daily challenge. But we believe it’s the right thing to do. We believe in people over profit, planet over performance metrics, and progress over shortcuts.
And the best part? We’re not alone. We’re part of a powerful, growing community—10,000 strong—of businesses that are choosing to be better. To anyone else on this journey: we see you. We hear you. We’re with you.
And together, our 10,000 voices will shout in unison:
“Keep going. You are making a difference.”
