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Proud to be B-Corp

Press Release: 31.10.2019


World of Books Group achieves B Corp™ certification

World of Books Group is an organisation that has taken its environmental, social and financial performance to new heights in an effort to achieve a sustainable future, today. The past year has been transformative for the Group with the organisation taking bold actions to lead on sustainability, reduce their environmental impacts and protect the low-carbon economy. In recognition of their progress, World of Books Group has been awarded certified B Corporation status.

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

There are currently 3,023 companies across 150 industries who have joined the B Corp community of leaders, taking the lead on accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. World of Books Group join well-known brands such as Patagonia, Innocent Drinks, Pukka Herbs, JoJo Maman Bebe, and recent additions, The Body Shop International, to become the 229th B Corp in the UK.

“We’ve always admired the values and aspirations of B Corp which align so well with our purpose, as a circular economy, for profit business that supports charities and protects the planet by enabling more goods to be reused. We’re incredibly proud to join the B Corp community.” [Stephen Boobyer, Deputy Chairman]

Kate Sandle, Director of Programmes and Engagement of B Lab UK, says “We are delighted to welcome World of Books Group to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates, who believe business really can be a force for good. We know that World of Books are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward”.

Harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.

“World of Books Group is a fantastic example of the circular economy in action. By recycling and reusing over 80 million books a year, we are supporting charities, sharing the love of reading, promoting literacy and helping to protect the planet. Over the last decade, we’ve grown from a start-up into a leading global seller of used books. Our continued growth and technological innovation allow us to make even more of a positive impact.” [Graham Bell, CEO]

B Corp certification is managed by the non-profit B Lab. Businesses need to achieve a minimum verified score of 80 points on the B Impact Assessment—a rigorous assessment of a company’s impact on its workers, customers, community, and environment. World of Books Group exceeded this standard, scoring 84.8.

“The journey to B Corp accelerated our own Impact and Sustainability ambitions and felt like a natural progression, but we see this as just the start of our journey to continuously champion business as a force for good in the world and focus on what people care most about.” [Amy Greenacre, Brand and Impact Manager]

For more information about World of Books Group's B Corp certification, visit https://www.wob.com/en-gb/about-us/b-corp or https://bcorporation.net/directory/world-of-books-group.

Notes for Editors

About World of Books

World of Books is a leading global seller of used books online. A circular economy, for profit business that supports charities and protects the planet by enabling more goods to be reused.

Established by a group of dedicated book lovers, with an ethos to do good, over the past decade World of Books has seen its inventory grow from 1,000 books to over 4 million in stock. They are pioneers in the re-use and recycling of unwanted books, reusing around 12 million books and recycling about 80 million books each year, an equivalent saving to 500,000 trees.

World of Books purchases significant volumes of waste and surplus books from charity shops throughout the UK and Ireland – boosting revenues for these good causes and saving them waste disposal costs. This business model now generates over £3m of value for UK charities every year.

World of Books Group is comprised of three direct-to-consumer e-commerce businesses (World of Books, World of Rare Books and Ziffit) each supported by their own technology.

Ziffit.com is a free and easy to use website and app to sell unwanted books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and games for cash. Over 600,000 items are traded in each month, making it one of the largest trade-in sites in the UK. This business model is almost 100% circular.

About B Lab UK

B Lab UK is a non-profit established in 2015 to serve a growing community of 215 UK-based companies using business as a force for good. B Lab measures and verify companies’ environmental and social performance using the B Impact Assessment, and ensure rigorous standards are met by all UK B Corps. Together with B Lab teams from around the world, they link a global network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses and promote positive, action-led change towards a new approach to business.

https://bcorporation.uk/

To download brand assets for World of Books and B Corp please visit our press page.

Press enquiries contact: Amy Greenacre, Brand and Impact Marketing manager | [email protected]