Eco Spotlight

A Good Thing is an award-winning non-profit online platform that connects UK charities with organisations looking to donate items. This helps charities whilst providing businesses with an ethical way to dispose of unwanted goods.

Since its pilot launch in the Thames Valley area in 2021, A Good Thing has grown rapidly across the UK. In 2024, the organisation was recognised with a Digital Leaders Impact Award in the Circular Economy category, highlighting its significant contribution to sustainable practices and community support.

Businesses often have surplus items or equipment that they no longer need, while many charities are in need of resources. A Good Thing provides a connection between the two. Items like laptops, plastic bags, candles, stationery, gardening tools, end-of-line clothing, packaging, crafting materials, and even half-used tins of paint have all been successfully donated to local charities through the platform, including more traditional items like furniture and IT equipment.

Their approach is designed to be as straightforward as booking a room on Airbnb or buying an item on eBay. If you’re interested in getting involved, whether as a business looking to donate or a charity in need of resources, just register for a free account and start requesting available items nearby or list items to donate.

The concept has transformed into a successful way of saving items from landfill. Companies can make a significant impact on their communities by supporting the incredible work of local charities.

_{Cathy & Richard: A Good Thing Co-Founders}

6 Reasons Why Ecommerce is Booming & What it Means For You

The ecommerce sector is booming, with global sales projected to reach $6.3 trillion in 2024. This growth is driven by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours, and the critical role of packaging in the online shopping experience.

Technological Advancements: Innovations in AI, machine learning, and the proliferation of smartphones and high-speed internet.
Changing Consumer Behaviours: The shift towards online shopping, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global Reach: E-commerce platforms breaking down geographical barriers, allowing businesses to reach a global audience.
Innovative Business Models: Subscription-based and Direct to Consumer (DTC) models gaining popularity.
Enhanced Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Improved delivery speeds and efficiency through advanced technologies.
Social Media Integration: Streamlined buying processes through shoppable posts and in-app purchases.

Impact on Businesses

Consumer Experience and Brand Perception

Unboxing Experience & Brand Differentiation: Enhances perceived value, leading to positive reviews and repeat purchases. Consider custom packaging with unique designs and logos to make your brand instantly recognisable and create a memorable unboxing experience.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Eco-friendly Packaging & Regulatory Compliance: Attract eco-conscious consumers, enhance your brand image, and align with global sustainability goals while avoiding fines. Eco-friendly features used to be a ‘nice-to-have’ option, but now they’re a must-have. We provide sustainable materials, including recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable packaging options, ensuring your packaging meets environmental standards and keeps you compliant with regulations.

Logistics and Cost Efficiency

Protective Packaging & Automation Compatibility: Reduce damage, returns, and shipping costs while streamlining operations and lowering labour expenses. Our protective packaging ensures your products arrive safely, minimising the risk of damage and returns. We also design packaging that’s compatible with automated systems, enhancing efficiency and cutting costs.

Consumer Convenience:

Easy Returns & Personalisation: Simplify the return process to encourage confident shopping while creating memorable experiences and personal connections with your brand. Packaging designed for easy returns removes consumer pain points and offers a smooth, efficient solution for handling returns.

Packaging Heroes

Clare was founded on a simple principle: Paint shopping should be effortless. They have transformed the entire paint shopping experience with designer-cureated colours, mess-free paint swatches, and top-quality paints and supplies delivered straight to your door. Their carefully produced zero VOC paint and colourants means they are free of toxic and carbon-based solvents that pollute the air and pose health risks. Their paint is greenguarded gold certified meeting rigorous emissions standards, releases fewer pollutants, and supports healthier indoor air.

^Clare

Commitment to Sustainability

Their energy-efficient factory minimises waste at every stage of the manufacturing process, treating and recycling water for reuse. The brand crafts paint containers, trays, and liners from recycled materials, while the shipping and packing materials are made from 100% recycled paperboard with 90% post-consumer content. Additionally, their paint meets LEED regulations for green building as outlined by the US Green Building Council.

Proud to be B - B Corp of the Month

One of the first events and wedding venues in the world to become B Corp certified, The Wellbeing Farm set out to ‘make the ordinary extraordinary’. With a vision to change the way the world sees hospitality, the farm is committed to combining wellbeing, sustainability, and fun, into something unique and memorable.

Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), the farm is on a mission to create sustainable development and include the goals in their operations. From affordable clean energy and climate action through use of their own 20kd wind turbine to power the farm, to industry, innovation, and infrastructure through skillful upcycling and awards won for sustainable practice such as the Green Tourism Award, and the Natural Recommended Supplier Award.

^{Instagram: The Wellbeing Farm}

The company strives to uphold the highest standards in sustainability and employee engagement. They are dedicated to collaborating with the local community and their staff to ensure the business is as inclusive as possible. Their mission is fulfilled by organising exceptional weddings, parties, and corporate events.

Good News Story

Sainsbury’s launches agroforestry initiative

As well-known supermarket retailer Sainsbury’s celebrates its 20th anniversary with the Woodland Trust, the company has committed to planting an additional 1.5 million trees by 2025. Many of these will be added within their supply chain to improve soil health and biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience. The agroforestry initiative is designed to help Sainsbury's farmers and growers adopt new farming practices while making a positive impact on the environment. Since launching this partnership, the retailer has raised over £14 million to support the Woodland Trust in creating and protecting woodlands across the UK for the benefit of people.

Join the Conversation

B Corp ‘Louder than Words’ Festival - 10-11th September

The largest ever gathering of B Corps is just around the corner. With over 2,000 members of the B Corp community - it’s time to put ideas into action to tackle issues that matter. Louder than Words festival is a chance for like-minded businesses to embrace creativity, connect, and debate alongside activists, allies, local communities, ‘B’ curious businesses, and the B Corp community.

From fresh content and headline moments on the Main Stage at Oxford’s New Theatre, to pop-up sessions across more than 40 venues in Oxford - it’s a chance to connect and create change together.

Sustainability Live - 10-11th September

Join the Sustainability Live immersive in-person event and hear from over 60 internationally acclaimed speakers, get involved with executive workshops to deepen knowledge and exchange ideas, and forge connections with sustainability leaders from the UK & Europe.

Discover the latest discussions covering themes ranging from sustainability and ESG strategies of the world’s leading companies, to diversity, equity and inclusions.