22 April 2020
Sustainable eyewear brand Bird has been named the first B Corp eyewear brand in the UK.
Brands with B Corp status are recognised for balancing purpose and profit, and prioritising both the environment and society. They are legally required to consider the impact of their business decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Founder Ed Bird said: “For us, B Corp Certification is a stamp of approval from a trusted source. The demanding application process was an opportunity to re-examine the business we’re creating and hold it up against the gold standards of ethical business.”
There are over 2500 Certified B Corporations in more than 50 countries across the world. Bird is one of only three eyewear brands in the world that have achieved the certification, and is the first in the UK.
The family-owned company was launched in 2017 in Devon, with the vision to create high quality, sustainable frames using materials including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, bio-based acetate, and repurposed aerospace aluminium.
Sustainability has been a key part of Bird’s offering from the start: the company continues to make design-led eyewear using high quality materials, with ethical business practices a top priority.
The brand’s Share Your Sun partnership, with SolarAid, sees solar lights distributed to remote communities in Africa every time a pair of glasses is sold. These solar lamps replace the dangerous standard kerosene lamps that are otherwise found in most households. This leads to better mental and physical health, and increased productivity.
Mr Bird added: “We’re delighted to have achieved B Corp status and will continue to build on this firm foundation as we grow. It’s great to be part of a global movement of companies using business as a force for good.”
Brands with B Corp status are recognised for balancing purpose and profit, and prioritising both the environment and society. They are legally required to consider the impact of their business decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Founder Ed Bird said: “For us, B Corp Certification is a stamp of approval from a trusted source. The demanding application process was an opportunity to re-examine the business we’re creating and hold it up against the gold standards of ethical business.”
There are over 2500 Certified B Corporations in more than 50 countries across the world. Bird is one of only three eyewear brands in the world that have achieved the certification, and is the first in the UK.
The family-owned company was launched in 2017 in Devon, with the vision to create high quality, sustainable frames using materials including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, bio-based acetate, and repurposed aerospace aluminium.
Sustainability has been a key part of Bird’s offering from the start: the company continues to make design-led eyewear using high quality materials, with ethical business practices a top priority.
The brand’s Share Your Sun partnership, with SolarAid, sees solar lights distributed to remote communities in Africa every time a pair of glasses is sold. These solar lamps replace the dangerous standard kerosene lamps that are otherwise found in most households. This leads to better mental and physical health, and increased productivity.
Mr Bird added: “We’re delighted to have achieved B Corp status and will continue to build on this firm foundation as we grow. It’s great to be part of a global movement of companies using business as a force for good.”