We are proud to announce that Sustainable Northwest Wood is now a Certified B Corporation. B Corps are for-profit companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This comprehensive verification process considers environmental impacts, employer practices, and equity as metrics that illuminate the extent to which a business is being a “Force for Good.” With our mission to Foster a wood products community where each purchase for the built environment ensures resilience in the natural one, being a force for good has always been part of our genetic make-up. The B Corp process, however, encourages us to aim higher.

Ecological forestry and sustainable rural development are the core of our work. From 100% usage of solar generated electricity to our employee profit-sharing program and fully paid employee health insurance, to dividend payments to our non-profit parent company, we are committed to People and Planet before Profit. B Lab gave us the opportunity to reflect upon and set goals toward other ways we can make a difference. Becoming a B Corp reminds us that there are dozens of operational choices that can reinforce our commitment to do the right thing.

For us B Corp certification is not a plaque to hang on our wall; it is a launching off point from which we can incrementally improve every aspect of our impacts. As one of our guiding principles states: Sustainability is not a threshold; it is an aspiration. Continuous learning and humility allow us to evolve and grow, always improving the impacts we have. Though our overall score was strong (94.5), some individual categories show ample room for improvement. The networking, resources, and tracking of B Lab will support us as we work with our suppliers, partners, and customers to use our business for The Greater Good.