Local brewer Stone & Wood has been certified as having a positive impact in the community and through its sustainability practices, according to its sustainability manager James Perrin, under the B-Corp certification program.
‘It’s not enough for a business to just make a product or a profit; it’s about having a wider positive impact in the wider community in which they operate,’ James said.
‘We see ourselves very much as a local brewer’, James said, ‘and when it came time to build our second brewery, we decided to reinvest in the local region, to build the brewery in Murwillumbah to support that local community that supported us.’
James says in a video (https://vimeo.com/189858309) that Stone & Wood carefully manages the water and energy inputs to its breweries, and treats its wastewater to reuse onsite for cleaning and other purposes. Fifteen–25 per cent of the energy requirements at the Murwillumbah site come from solar panels on the roof.
Almost all the waste from the brewing process is reused or recycled; for example the grain becomes cattle food in partnership with local farmers.
Stone & Wood co-founder Jamie Cook said that the accreditation was an affirmation that their practices and philosophies are aligned with a global movement of good businesses focused on adding value to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
What is B-Corp?
B-Corp provides independent accreditation of for-profit businesses that meet rigorous standards set around governance, workers, community, environment, and business-impact models. It certifies companies that are concerned for their communities and the environment.
Other certified B Corporation companies include Patagonia and Ben & Jerrys.
