Kelowna company with Jay-Z ties becomes Certified B Corporation

Pela case is growing at a breakneck pace. Image Credit: SUBMITTED/PELA

October 31, 2019 - 1:30 PM

Pela is staying on-track to create a waste-free future with its freshly minted Certified B Corporation status.

"We're excited to welcome Pela to the community of Certified B Corporations, which is growing quickly with over 3,000 companies now certified globally and almost 300 in Canada," country manager of Canada for B Lab, Kasha Huk siad in a press release. "Through their commitment to creating a regenerative economy, Pela is demonstrating that business can be a force for good in the world, delivering purpose alongside profit. This kind of leadership is emblematic of the power of B Corps."

Certified B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. The certification is a mark of trust and a guarantee to consumers that a brand balances transparency, purpose, and actions. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy

READ MORE: Jay Z and Kelowna company linked

"Since day one, we have been focused on the most sustainable options when making our products," CEO of Pela, Matt Bertulli said. "We went after B Corp because the alignment was already there, so it only made sense to become part of the remarkable B Corp network. We are in the company of great brands and we are excited to collaborate with other B Corps."

In an effort to bring awareness to single-use plastics and build strong relationships in the community, the company implemented Pela 360. Customers can either drop off or send back their used Pela cases and sunglasses and Pela will clean them up and give them to someone in need, turn them into new products, or compost them.

While Pela's environmental efforts are being widely celebrated, they're not the only Kelowna-based company with Certified B Corporation credentials.

Summerhill winery gained the designation this summer.

The business certification gives the company an opportunity to grow from an entrepreneurial business to a company that is really empowered, well managed and where the team members carry the vision, hold the vision and enact the vision, said CEO Ezra Cipes.

"It’s an opportunity for us to continue to be better and to learn," he added.

"We spend a huge amount of our lives at work. It’s where we give our attention and prioritize our lives so we can earn money. So bringing values, meaning and care into our work lives is very powerful," said Cipes.

There are more than 2,700 Certified B Corporations from more than 130 industries and 60 countries. Summerhill Pyramid is the first winery in Canada to gain the certification and one of just 26 wineries worldwide.

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