We, the Lightspan Lightbugs, are so thrilled to have earned the B Corp seal of approval.  The B Corp Declaration of Independence mirrors Lightspan’s own values, and it allows us an additional venue to give back to our community and help to make the world a better place. What are B Corps and what are we doing at Lightspan to uphold this declaration?  Let’s find out!

What are BCorps:

“B Corp is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today, there is a growing community of more than 1,000 Certified B Corps from 33 countries and over 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business.”

What Being a Certified B Corporation means to us:

Mana: I am very particular about the businesses Lightspan works with. I scrutinize clients, vendors and manufacturers. I’m not going to appologize about it. I like to know everything about how our clients and vendors operate. How honest are they, how do they treat their employees, what do they do for the community and environment? It’s easy to make decisions just based on price/money. It’s harder to do the due dilligence to truly know who you are partnering with and what they stand for. But I found we do our best work with businesses that genuinely care about their employees, audiences, neighbors and the planet.

Of Lightspan’s values, honesty and taking personal responsibility (at an organizational level) have proven to be the biggest keys to success. We believe that to be universally true. These values imply that we are able to see and recognize our impact outside the boundaries of the business. And when we pay attention, not only do we make decisions with more care, we also notice more opportunities for more business. Which is why it’s easier for us to work with like-minded businesses. We can work in tandem to do more for each other and for others.

I call it, the triple win.

Candice: I take all of my notes on paper, so instead of always using notebooks, I tear used paper in half and use the blank back side for all of my notes and scribbles.   There is always a stack at my desk and then I recycle the scraps when I’m done.  In addition, I am very selective when it comes to selecting vendors and even supplies for the office.   It is important to me that they share the same values that we do.

Hilary:  I have been working to use only products that are cruelty free and are not tested on animals.  I also use recycled office products, such as notebooks.

Holly:  I love that we have a Trader Joe’s around the corner from the office to get healthy lunches and groceries throughout the week. To cut down on my paper and plastic usage, I bring a reusable bag to work almost every day.

Jamie:I’m teaching myself muscle memory to not only enforce my own environmentally-friendly habits, but other people’s as well. This includes making sure the building’s shared bathroom’s lights are always turned off when leaving, unplugging unnecessary electronics, the usual. Socially, I try to attend community and industry networking events and pass along my knowledge to local small businesses.

Lindsay:  I am the official recycling policewoman at Lightspan.  This is embarrassing to admit, but I even dig through the regular trash and pull out the recyclables.  I do this at home too, so at least I am consistent!  I also barrage everyone in the office with emails and forwards about donation opportunities, charity events, and local community outreach activities.  I guess you could say I am pretty obnoxious about being involved and being green, but I can’t help it!  I love it!

Valerie:   I choose to walk to work as often as possible to be green.   And I also recycle at home. Someday I plan to invest in one of those fancy trash cans that separate it out, rather than having piles of paper and glass in my kitchen!  I am also on a paleo diet, eating as many whole and organic foods as possible.  (In fact, Val was offered a free company lunch today, and she turned it down so as not to waste the food she already had.  Go Val!)

What We Do As a Team

Along with the efforts of each Lightbug, we are working as a company to follow the B Corp declaration.  We have an extensive recycling program here at Lightspan.  Along with normal recycling, we participate in the TerraCycle program, which allows us to recycle things like cheese packets and beauty products.  And if we have office items we no longer want, we give them away to friends or donate.

We buy local, organic, eco-friendly, and B Corp certified products whenever possible.  And we try our best to cut back on buying things unless we really need them!  Lightspan also offers Divvy bike memberships to all its employees, and is in close proximity to the El train and public transportation.  We definitely encourage employees to walk, bike, or take the train to work!

Lightspan strives to be involved in the community by participating in charity and fundraising events seasonally.  We recently participated in the Ravenswood 5K Fun Run as a team.  Not only was the run great for everyone’s health, but we helped to raise money for our local food pantry as well.  Along with the Fun Run, some other recent activities include: collecting toys for Toys for Tots, joining the #BtheChange local beach clean-up, raising money for Typhon Haiyan victims, and giving charity donations as our Holiday gifts to our clients and friends.

One of Lightspan’s core values is to “Do More with Less.”  This is a great motto to remind us to think before we consume.  Although we are working hard to do our best every day, there is always more we can do to help the environment and our community.  We are so proud that we were chosen to be a B Corp member, and are thrilled to be a part of this exciting community.  We pledge to continue working to be more sustainable, to be more involved, and to “Do More with Less”.

What are you doing to make your lifestyle “greener,” “fairer” more “thoughtful”?  Please share with us!