Ridwell is a certified B Corp
We’re proud to share that Ridwell is now a certified B Corp, making us part of a global movement that meets high verification standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Becoming a B Corp symbolizes that a company is a force for good, using business to benefit people and the planet. For Ridwell, it’s a natural extension of our mission—to empower communities to waste less by making it easy to sustainably recycle and reuse more stuff.
We take a different approach in the waste industry because we saw a gap between the status quo—which last advanced forty years ago when curbside recycling was introduced—and what’s right for our environment and communities. Taking on the challenge of helping people recycle and reuse more materials isn’t always profitable (in fact, it can be expensive), but it’s important.
Working for a benefit beyond business, something we’ve done from the outset, is the hallmark of a B Corp. We’re thrilled to have this certification as it puts us in the company of great future-minded, environmentally focused brands with a similar view on the role of businesses, like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Allbirds.
What is a B Corp?
B Corps are certified by B Lab, a nonprofit network on a mission to transform the global economy so it benefits all people, communities, and the planet. The certification means that a company meets high standards around using business to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
How do you become a certified B Corp?
The certification process measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact. To qualify, a company must meet standards around:
Governance—the company’s driving mission and how it’s carried out
Workers—how well the company provides financial security, career development, wellness, and more
Community—volunteer and philanthropic efforts, as well as local economic impact and diversity, equity, & inclusion initiatives.
Environment—resource conservation, environmental management, waste diverted from the landfill, and more
Customers—customer satisfaction, quality assurance, and data usage & privacyOnce certified, a B Corp must resubmit and recertify their impact assessment every three years to stay certified.
Doing good at Ridwell
Ridwell started as a neighborhood recycling carpool powered by a curious six year old who wanted to recycle his family’s batteries. Soon, he and his dad started going door to door to tell neighbors what they were collecting next and ask them if they wanted to participate. That ethos still drives the way we work, making us a natural fit for the B Corp community.
We’re motivated by the way huge problems shrink when enough people come together with a common goal, believing nothing is impossible—in our case, creating a future without waste.
Changing something as big as the waste problem means operating outside of established, scaled systems that serve the status quo—because we do things differently, we prioritize visibility into how we do it, the outcomes, and who’s involved.
Transparency
Mystery has no place in the waste industry! We regularly share details about our partners and contamination rates by region so our members know exactly where the stuff they gives us ends up. Learn more >
Impact
As of July 2024, the Ridwell community has saved more than 22 million pounds of waste from landfills. Members can see their own impact in our iOS app, and we often share updates.
Community
As part of their doorstep pickup service, Ridwell members regularly give items to local nonprofits. Members also lead plastic film drives at local schools, inspiring the people around them to make an impact.