Sarah Raven has achieved B Corp status, becoming the first online garden retailer to earn the prestigious certification. The milestone is a result of the brand’s long-term dedication to sustainability and ethical business practices.
B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. The achievement reflects how the Sarah Raven business is built on responsible supplier partnerships, a deep respect for nature, and boasts an unwavering focus on the wellbeing of employees and customers alike.
Alison Doherty, CEO of Sarah Raven, commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded B Corp Certification, providing positive affirmation of the business’ dedication to our people, customers, and the environment. Gaining the certification is a great achievement for the whole team but is not the end of our journey. Sustainability remains core to our mission and values, and as such, we will continue to strive for further improvements as a sustainable ethical business.”
As a business rooted in gardening and intrinsically linked to nature, Sarah Raven has always focused on how its operations can become increasingly sustainable. The business has led industry efforts to improve environmental standards, bringing the first peat-free plant plugs to market in 2023. The Sarah Raven plant nursery in Lincolnshire and Perch Hill Garden, which host the business’s plant and garden trials, are also 100% peat-free.
In 2020, Sarah Raven worked with packaging experts to create compostable seedling and pioneered the use of compostable bionets for wallflowers in 2022. Additionally, the business is consistently breeding and adding more pollinator-friendly plants and flowers to its collection.
Rookery Farm plant nursery is completely self-sufficient for energy and water production thanks to purpose-built reservoirs and water systems that harvest rainwater across the site, saving over six million litres of water annually. The nursery’s energy and heat are provided via biomass boilers that use only local waste wood, straw, and cardboard.
A critical part of Sarah Raven’s journey towards B Corp certification has been establishing responsible and enduring supplier partnerships. The company works closely with growers, agencies, and packaging suppliers that share a vision for creating a long-lasting and meaningful service. Each partner is hand-picked to ensure the values they hold are in line with that of Sarah Raven. The company sources responsibly from managed forests and delivers 98% of customer orders with plastic-free parcels.
Sarah Raven added: “Nothing matters more to me than taking care of the people who work with us and of the natural world we all depend on. Being certified as a B Corporation is a gold medal sign that making beautiful gardens is part of a larger picture, in which the wellbeing both of people and of nature can go hand in hand.”
B Corp certification also highlights Sarah Raven’s care for people, both internally and within its broader community. The female-founded business is a certified Living Wage employer and provides all employees with mental health support. The entire Sarah Raven team is encouraged to value diverse perspectives, enabling a rewarding environment where everyone shares in the business’ success.
Sarah Raven acquired Rookery Farm in Lincolnshire in 2022, with the investment increasing employment opportunities within a traditionally low-income area. The company also provides funding and volunteers for multiple UK charities, including ‘Something To Look Forward To’ and ‘Maggie’s’, both of which offer support and unforgettable experiences for families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Following its recognition as a B Corp company, Sarah Raven will continue to pursue achievements in each of these areas, maintaining its role as a positive force for people, communities, and the planet. The business aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 5% annually with Planet Mark[1], and is actively exploring initiatives that can be implemented to meet that ambition.
Image credit Jonathan Buckley
Source Sam Bird, Cision, lizleanpr
