A Certified B Corp since 2010, Vancouver, BC-based Fairware (asi/191452) has long centered its mission around ethically sourced and environmentally responsible promotional products.

This year, for the first time, the distributor has released an Impact Report detailing its environmental and social impact in five areas of business operations: responsible sourcing; justice, diversity/equity and inclusion; community impact; advocacy; and environmental responsibility.

Reeve Consulting and members of Fairware’s (asi/191452) impact committee participate in a cleanup of Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver this summer.

“We have focused on using our business as a force for good from day one, but we’ve never shared our efforts in a single document,” wrote company co-founders Denise Taschereau, CEO, and Sarah White, COO, in an opening message. “As we grow and scale our operations across North America and our influence in the industry increases, it’s time to consolidate our efforts and goals in one place.”

They added that the 2022 Impact Report is an effort both to hold their company accountable and also hopefully to “inspire others to join us on our journey.”

In the report, Fairware noted that it asks suppliers a slate of questions related to its code of conduct, vetting suppliers on a number of workers’ rights and environmental standards. The distributor tracked its supply chain spend in a variety of categories, measuring it against a 2019 benchmark. For instance, in 2022, 20% of its major suppliers were B Corp certified. In 2019, less than 4% of suppliers carried this distinction.

In 2022, Fairware said it donated more than $17,500 worth of excess merchandise to three community organizations: Raincity Housing, Directions Youth Services, and the Vancouver Street Soccer League (VSSL), a volunteer-run, nonprofit that addresses housing, marginalization and recovery through inclusivity and soccer. Other contributions last year included a cash donation to the PromoCares Ukraine4Good campaign and fundraising through its involvement in industry buying group Reciprocity Road.

On the environmental side, Fairware noted that it actively looks to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts across its operational footprint. “We need to decarbonize our business model and we need to move fast,” the distributor noted in the report. “We know it won’t be easy and that we need to go beyond the ‘low hanging’ fruit to implement meaningful tactics.”

In January, the distributor partnered with veritree to plant 10 kelp for every order. Kelp forests help support biodiversity, coastal fisheries and livelihoods, and have potential as a carbon sink, according to the report. In addition to its B Corp certification, Fairware also achieved a Silver rating from EcoVadis, with a score of 64 out of 100, putting it in the 88^th percentile of companies ranked.

Fairware (asi/191452) created this merch for client Lush Cosmetics to support its campaign for refugee action.

The distributor also shared its greenhouse gas emissions, noting that its Scope 1 emissions were related to natural gas burned to heat the office and Scope 2 emissions were for electricity purchased to keep the lights on. Scope 3 measurements included transportation of products, employee commuting, business travel, waste generated and paper consumption. The Scope 3 inventory did not include emissions from primary manufacturers and suppliers or product end-of-life. Fairware noted that is net carbon emissions (including Scope 1, 2 and 3, less purchased reductions) in 2022 were 20.77 metric tons, compared to 47.78 in the baseline of 2019.

Fairware formalized its commitment to halve carbon emissions from a 2019 baseline by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The company also said it’s engaging with its significant suppliers to better track Scope 3 carbon impact along the supply chain. The distributor said it’s working on creating science-based targets for emissions reductions this year, which it will submit to the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).

Promo for the Planet is your destination for the latest news, biggest trends and best ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry.