Publisher joins growing movement to do business ethically and sustainably
Doing the right thing means Ohh Deer is the latest greeting card publisher to earn the coveted B Corp certification, and co-founders Mark Callaby and Jamie Mitchell are rightly proud of the achievement.
“This means that our company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability,” Mark told PG Buzz, adding that promoting diversity is also important to the business.
Explaining he and business and life partner Jamie have always been “very conscious that we’re running a paper-based company” and the impact it may have on the environment, they are committed to only using materials that are ethically sourced, limit the use of single-use plastics and offer alternative solutions where possible.
Joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit, B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, has certified Loughborough-based Ohh Deer, which publishes and sells its cards and stationery wholesale as well as direct to the consumer via online, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The certification addresses the entirety of a company’s operations, covering five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers, in rigorous process where applicants must provide evidence of socially and environmentally-responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency, and legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.
Of the 8,814 B Corp firms across the globe, there are 2,890 in the UK including greeting card and allied companies Wrendale Designs, Talking Tables, Once Upon A Tuesday, paper merchant G.F Smith, and now Ohh Deer – with others known to be working towards gaining the certification.
Mark added: “We believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to help protect our planet and that’s always been a core value for us. So far, we’ve helped plant over 150,000 trees with TreeAid and Verdn and we continue to do so by contributing a portion of our sales across various products.”
Alongside the tree planting pledge Ohh Deer has also donated to many good causes close to the team’s hearts, including LGBT Switchboard, The Marine & Conservation Society, Butterfly Conservation, SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality), Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).
“As you’re probably already aware, Ohh Deer is queer-owned,” Mark said, “we’re partners in business and life, and we know promoting inclusivity is fundamental for a happy, positive workplace. I also champion diversity for the greeting card industry via my role on the GCA council.
“Greeting cards are incredibly powerful. They help promote positivity, love and support, not just for special occasions, but anytime and we know our products can help people across the world and improve mental health.
“This B Corp certification isn’t just for us. It’s for our team, our suppliers, our designers, our customers. We want you to know that you’re working with a company that is committed to achieving high standards socially and environmentally and we will continue to strive for high standards now and into our future.”
