“B Corp certification reflects a 30-year Nespresso commitment to sustainability, transparency and responsible business,” said Nespresso CEO Guillaume Le Cunff | Photo credit: Efe Kurnaz

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Nespresso has announced its certification as B Corp. The Swiss coffee pod giant said it had achieved a score of 84 across its global business spanning 38 markets.
 
Nespresso scored 80 across its North America, South America and Asia Pacific divisions, 83 in Europe and a remarkably high 93 for its headquarters and factory operations.

To certify as a B Corp, businesses must meet high standards across five areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, and achieve an overall score of 80. Globally, over 4,900 companies have been certified so far.

According to B Corp, the average score among typical companies is 50.9. 
 
“B Corp certification reflects a 30-year Nespresso commitment to sustainability, transparency and responsible business. We are immensely proud to be joining a community of like minds who share our belief that profit and purpose go hand-in-hand. This certification brings added value for our customers and affirms to Nespresso fans that their favourite coffee brand is doing business the right way,” said Nespresso CEO, Guillaume Le Cunff.
 
Following certification, Nespresso said it would be adding the B Corp logo its products and communications. The company has also updated its Articles of Association (Corporate Articles) to meet the legal requirement that certified B Corps must consider the impact of their business decisions on all stakeholders.
 
B Corp certification builds on Nespresso’s existing efforts to promote sustainability and ethics across its supply chain. In 2010, the company co-founded UK-based coffee pod recycling scheme, Podback, which is aiming to provide kerbside recycling to at least half of UK households within the next five years.

The Nestlé-owned company is targeting carbon neutrality for every cup of Nespresso coffee by the end of 2022 and sources 93% of its coffee through its AAA Sustainable Quality Program, with almost half also certified with Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. 

Nespresso joins a growing number of major coffee businesses that have achieved B Corp certification, including Sustainable Harvest, Counter Culture Coffee, Caravela Coffee, Alpro, Origin, Coffee Collective, illycaffè and Minor Figures.