The B Corporation Mindset: Bigelow Tea's Commitment to Making a Difference
At Bigelow Tea, third generation president and CEO, Cindi Bigelow, carries on her grandmother’s legacy by giving back to people and the planet simply because it’s the right thing to do. As a result, the company has been a Certified B Corporation since 2019 which proves how intentional the company remains behind a commitment to a purpose far beyond making profits where Bigelow Tea’s aim is to always do better.
Join us in learning more about why being a Certified B Corporation is important to us.
What is a B Corp?
As a B Corp, we adhere to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability through a rigorous assessment overseen by the B Lab, a nonprofit that certifies for-profit companies. The Assessment evaluates Bigelow’s practices and outputs across five impact areas including governance, employees, community, the environment, and customers.
Bigelow Tea and B Corp Certification
Our journey as a B Corp began several years ago when we first embarked on the path to certification. We saw it as an opportunity to not only assess our existing business practices but also to identify areas where we could make a positive impact. Over time, we have made significant progress, from the creation of our Corporate Responsibility Department to achieving recertification as a Certified B Corporation in 2022.
Why It Matters
Bigelow Tea’s commitment to positive change goes beyond certification. It is woven into the fabric of who we are as a company. From greening initiatives that minimize our environmental footprint to community outreach programs that support local nonprofits, we are dedicated to making a difference in the world around us. Examples of Bigelow Tea driving positive impact over the years include the following:
- Achieved Green-E® certification by powering facilities with 100% renewable energy. Notably, the Charleston Tea Garden, a subsidiary of Bigelow Tea, became Green-E certified as well in 2023.
- • Maintained Zero-Waste-to-Landfill facilities since 2014, ensuring 90% of our waste is diverted from landfills through reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost programs.
- Contributed over $2 million to local nonprofits through our annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge (BTCC).
- Employees raise awareness and give back to their local communities with initiatives such as walking in the Pink Pledge Stroll hosted by the Norma Pfriem Breast Center in multiple locations, volunteering at Rake Up Boise where thousands of volunteers rake yards for veteran, disabled, and senior neighbors each November in Boise, Idaho, harvesting produce from the employee community garden which is then donated to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, in Bridgeport, CT, and volunteering at Home of the Innocents to wrap gifts and assist with holiday programming in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Bigelow Tea also gives back to our troops. Through our Tea for the Troops program, the company donates up to 50,000 boxes of tea annually to active military personnel and veterans.
As third generation president and CEO, Cindi Bigelow, often says, "Our mission calls for making a difference every day." And for Bigelow Tea, being a B Corp is a true expression of that mission—a commitment to using business as a force for good, now and in the future. We invite you to join us on this journey to positive change. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.