Our B Corp Journey

Botanical PaperWorks grew from a dream of transforming waste paper into something useful. Today, it has evolved into a full-scale seed paper business that employs over 30 dedicated individuals. Together, we fulfill the company’s mission: to help individuals and organizations celebrate important events and communicate their brand messages with sustainable products that reduce waste and benefit the environment. 

Sowing the Seeds

Over the years, Botanical PaperWorks has experienced ups and downs, evolving product lines, changing facilities, and a growing team. Like any growing and adapting business, we are constantly making decisions. Without alignment, we risk losing sight of our core values and vision. To stay on track, our leadership team meets monthly to discuss plans strategically, set goals, and work toward them.

Consumers and employees have high expectations for the businesses they partner with, so delivering value is always reflected in our plans. We saw B Corp certification as an opportunity to validate our ongoing efforts while pushing us to achieve even higher standards.

“Getting B Corp certified is a public declaration that we care about using business as a force for good. The B in B Corp stands for ‘Benefit for all’ to signify the commitment that we’ve made to positively impact workers, communities, customers, and the planet.” – Heidi Reimer-Epp, CEO & Co-Founder

Cultivating Our Crops

Achieving B Corp certification is no small feat — we worked on it for 10 months. It required Botanical PaperWorks to undergo a rigorous assessment of its social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. The process involved a thorough evaluation of the company’s operations, from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and environmental footprint.

Finally, our score was tallied. For reference, the average score of companies completing the B Impact Assessment is 50.9. We certified with 80.2 which was enough to pass the 80-point threshold for certification.

Our B Corp journey was not without challenges. It demanded time, resources, and a commitment to continuous improvement throughout the company. However, the process was also transformative. It provided a roadmap for enhancing our impact and fostering a culture of sustainability. We hope it will inspire others in the industry as well.

Growing Forward

Today, Botanical PaperWorks proudly stands as a certified B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. We are in good company with other promotional product businesses wanting to use their business for good, including Genumark, McCabe, Fairware, and Full Line Specialties.

This achievement is a milestone in our journey and helps state our commitment to people and planet, including standing for equality and climate justice.

In the months and years to come, we will continue to measure our impact in the five B Corp areas: community, workers, customers, governance, and environment. We will identify areas for improvement, and implement changes and new ideas to increase our positive impact on society.

Interested in B Corp certification?

Learn more about what the designation means and get a step-by-step look at the pathway to certification.