heath journal
B Corp: A Breakdown
From Edith’s unique clay body (which requires less heat to fire) to the custom-developed water recycling systems that keep each factory running efficiently, sustainability has always been a priority at Heath.
In 2023, we formalized our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices by becoming a Certified B Corp. This distinction puts Heath in league with some of the most innovative businesses on the planet—an honor we take seriously.
B Corp certification (the B stands for Benefit for All) is awarded to companies that have a positive impact on the planet and its people. What does that mean, exactly? We know that you’ve probably encountered B Corp conversations before (and honestly, that’s great news), but in case you’re a little foggy on the details, we’re going to break down how the certification standards work and what they look like at Heath.
To receive B Corp certification, we were evaluated on governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
In 2023, we formalized our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices by becoming a Certified B Corp. This distinction puts Heath in league with some of the most innovative businesses on the planet—an honor we take seriously.
B Corp certification (the B stands for Benefit for All) is awarded to companies that have a positive impact on the planet and its people. What does that mean, exactly? We know that you’ve probably encountered B Corp conversations before (and honestly, that’s great news), but in case you’re a little foggy on the details, we’re going to break down how the certification standards work and what they look like at Heath.
To receive B Corp certification, we were evaluated on governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
Governance
Evaluates a company’s stated mission, its leadership, and its capacity to support and advance that mission.At Heath, our mission has been the same since the beginning: we are design-led, with the mission of creating products of beauty and integrity, while designing, manufacturing, and running our business in a way that’s better for society and our planet. We strive to be transparent with both our employees and our customers, and we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our business’s impact on the communities it serves.
Workers
Evaluates a company’s contributions to its employees’ financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, and engagement and satisfaction.You can’t build a business that lasts as long as ours without prioritizing the needs of your employees. At Heath, that means retirement and healthcare benefits for all full-time employees, as well as our Living Wage Initiative, which expanded benefits and increased hourly wages for about half of our staff. Additionally, weekly health and safety training sessions are hosted to prevent workplace injuries in our factories.
Community
Evaluates a company’s engagement with and impact on the communities in which it operates, hires from, and sources from.We want our factories to function as anchor institutions for the communities they serve. In San Francisco, we host the Heath Collective (which provides inexpensive rental space to local businesses) and the annual Make Good Market, an event that celebrates the work of many local makers. Heath also supports the work of local community organizations including SFMade and The Edible Schoolyard Project.
Environment
Evaluates a company’s overall environmental management practices as well as its impact on the air, climate, water, land, and biodiversity.Maybe we’re biased, but the region of California that we call home is one of the most beautiful on the planet—naturally we want to protect it. Through carbon-neutral shipping, innovative waste and water management practices, and the adoption of renewable energy in our factories, we’ve significantly reduced our carbon footprint, water intake, and landfill waste.
Customers
Evaluates a company’s stewardship of its customers through the quality of its products and services, ethical marketing, data privacy and security, and feedback channels.We employ a team of hard-working quality assurance specialists to ensure that each piece is up to Edith’s exacting standards, and because we believe in our products, you can rest assured that our marketing and data-handling practices are ethical and safe. Furthermore, we are always open to feedback—never hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or comments!
To get a fuller picture of Heath’s efforts toward social and environmental sustainability, read our full 2023 Annual Benefit Report.