When I first started shopping with sustainability in mind, my head was swimming, wondering who I could trust and how I could trust them if I wanted my purchases to count. One buzzword I kept hearing was the B Corp certification. The more I read, the more I like and trust it as a standard I can trust for shopping with my conscience.

The B in “B Corp” stands for “Benefit.” A company earns the B Corp certification by scoring a minimum of 80 points on a scale of 200, and is certified by B Lab that the world benefits from them being in business. B Lab looks at things like environmental stewardship, employee benefits, how the company treats suppliers and customers, community involvement, charitable donations, ethical business practices, governance, and transparency.

80 out of 200 doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a rigorous process — the highest scorers tend to top out at 160 — and a company has to recertify periodically to maintain their status.

This standard may not be perfect, but it works for me. With all the waste and corporate greed and environmental destruction around the world, I’m happy to spend my money to support any company that’s taken the time, trouble, and expense to prove that they’re a force for good.

What are some B Corps we’ve all heard of?

It’s a growing list, and a fun one:

• Patagonia: Patagonia specializes in outdoor clothing and gear. The company is dedicated to sustainability and environmental activism, making it a popular choice for those seeking ethical and eco-friendly products.
• illy coffee: My husband’s favorite coffee, and a staple at our house.
• Ben & Jerry’s: This ice cream company has a strong commitment to social and environmental causes, allowing you to try all of their funky flavors in good conscience.
• Etsy: The online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, supports independent artisans and promotes sustainable, ethical shopping practices. My daughter needs a laptop sleeve for school. I thought we’d either have to spend a hundred bucks to buy sustainable, or buy some crap from Amazon, but we saw some lovely ones on Etsy that are in between those two prices, and it’s a win all around.
• Allbirds: Super cute, comfy shoes, at reasonable prices.
• Danone North America: This food and beverage company emphasizes social and environmental responsibility in its operations.

These are just a few examples of the growing network of companies who are taking sustainable steps for the planet.

Happy shopping!