Sustainability March 05, 2024
Sustainable Supplier Zusa Achieves B Corp Status
The Minnesota company received 123.3 points in its assessment, well over the 80 points needed to become a certified B Corp.
Plymouth, MN-based Zusa (asi/99560) is getting noticed for its sustainable business practices, recently achieving official B Corp status.
The new designation stacks with the supplier’s Climate Neutral certification and 1% for the Planet membership.
“We’re proud that Zusa is now a B Corp brand, furthering our commitment to sustainability,” said CEO Richard Ward. “Each year, we continue to make progressive steps from our longstanding partnership with 1% for the Planet to becoming carbon-neutral in 2023. We strive to do right by our customers and the planet.”
This fleece (ZW450) from Zusa (asi/99560) is made from recycled materials. The newly B Corp-certified supplier notes on its website that 93% of its product line is made from recycled materials.
B Corps are assessed and certified by the nonprofit organization B Lab. B Corp applicants are evaluated using the B Impact Assessment, a test that measures applicants’ positive and negative impact both environmentally and socially. Applicants must receive a score of 80 or higher to obtain B Corp certification. Zusa received a score of 123.3, which it noted is 72.4 points above the median score for ordinary businesses.
Zusa, which was created by Ward in 2019, was designed to address the harmful environmental impacts of the apparel industry, according to the supplier. The brand developed business practices designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use recycled materials wherever possible and decrease consumption of natural resources. The company only partners with WRAP-certified factories to guarantee worker health and safety, fair compensation and ensure there’s no child or involuntary labor occurring. The supplier said it offers a complete line of sustainable clothing, outerwear, accessories, bags and drinkware.
Zusa joins a growing movement in the promotional products industry and beyond seeking out B Corp certification, which recognizes companies that meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Worldwide, there are more than 8,300 companies with B Corp certifications, according to the B Corp website.
Earlier this year, Top 40 distributor Leaderpromos (asi/287087) announced its B Corp certification. In 2023, Top 40 distributor Genumark (asi/204588) earned its B Corp certification, as did supplier Chameleon Like (asi/44558). The Do-Gooders Directory on ASI Media’s Promo for the Planet page lists other promo companies that have B Corp certification, along with various giveback programs, charitable initiatives and sustainability certifications they’ve attained. In the retail space, notable B Corps include Athleta, Allbirds, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, Patagonia and The Body Shop.
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