Premium bottled water supplier Harrogate Water has been certified as a B Corporation in recognition of its social and environmental performance.
B Corps measures a company’s entire social and environmental footprint, evaluating how its operations impact on colleagues, community, environment and customers.
Qualifying organisations must commit to positive corporate social responsibility and incorporate transparency and accountability into the business from the shop floor to the boardroom.
Worldwide, more than 3,000 companies have become B Corp accredited. Harrogate Water CEO James Cain OBE said: “We are proud to be the first company in North Yorkshire to have achieved B Corp accreditation and join a growing global family of inspiring businesses committed to effecting positive change.
“Care for the environment and social responsibility are in our DNA. Harrogate’s unique springs were first discovered in 1571 and we are proud to carry the baton for today’s generation, producing and bottling the most natural and healthiest beverage on the shelf.
“We operate from one of the world’s most environmentally efficient bottling plants, a global centre of excellence and a showcase for the bottled water industry. Our rapid growth in recent years has been achieved because of and not despite our commitment to sustainability and community involvement.
“B Corp accreditation validates our achievements but, more importantly, demonstrates our commitment and passion to sustainability and community involvement in the longer term. “
Harrogate Water has been zero to landfill for a decade, all packaging is 100% recyclable and both glass and PET bottles contain at least 50% recycled content. It is aiming to use 100% recycled PET by 2025.
The company campaigns with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy to encourage PET bottle recycling, sponsors the charity’s Eco-Schools programme and works with partners to implement effective PET bottle recycling solutions, including recycling at Royal Ascot and the Betfred British Masters golf tournament.
The company’s charity brand Thirsty Planet, launched in 2007, has raised £2.3 million for independent British charity Pump Aid, which works with communities in sub-Saharan Africa to establish safe sources of water, improved sanitary conditions and sustainable business and employment opportunities.
