Never before has there been such urgency to make environmental pledges to preserve, protect and celebrate our planet and take action. However, these big changes take collective effort to make an impact. That’s why we have joined a growing movement of companies that are using business as a force for good and has commited to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy by becoming a Certified B Corporation (B Corp).
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Since becoming a B Corp, we have twice been named a Best for the World™ B Corp™ in recognition of exceptional positive Community impact. Best for the World is a distinction granted by B Lab to Certified B Corporations (B Corps) whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in the B Impact Assessment — community, customers, environment, governance, and workers — rank in the top 5% of all B Corps in their corresponding size group.
What is a B Corp?
A B Corp is a new business model guided by a set of socially- and environmentally-focused principles. B Corps are held to a higher standard and are legally committed to doing business that is good for their employees, consumers, community and the environment.
In 2018, we became the first real estate brokerage in California to be certified as a B Corp. There are currently over 2,500 Certified B Corporations in more than 60 countries across 150 industries.
Learn More about B Corporations
Why Did We Become a B Corp?
We believe in putting people and the planet first. We take environmental awareness and action very seriously. All of our agents have advanced training in environmental sustainability and proudly hold the National Association of REALTORS®’ Green Designation.
Our agents help homeowners and sellers take actionable steps to improve their home’s market value by choosing green alternatives. We provide financial and logistical contributions to help make our clients' homes more energy efficient and employ the latest tools to ensure that the home selling and buying process is environmentally friendly.
Zip Code Sonoma regularly share tips and resources on how to increase environmental sustainability, and we creatively partner with local green businesses to ensure that our footprint is light but our efforts to enact greener lifestyles are far-reaching. We are also members of the One Percent for the Planet, contributing more than one percent of our annual revenue to environmental causes to protect the environment. We also support a wide range of local charities and organizations working to make the East Bay a place for everyone to thrive.
What’s Next for Our B Corp?
Becoming a B Corp is a great first step in our green journey but we are committed to continued improvement. That’s why every action we take is being looked at through the lens of sustainability, waste reduction and the creation of greener practices. Here are a few examples of how we’re incorporating the B Corp status into our work:
Zip Code ECO: In order to create a roadmap for healthier, more sustainable homes, we created an eco-listing program called Zip Code ECO. Zip Code ECO is modeled after green building certification programs with the ultimate goal of making every single home we sell greener and thus making a measurable environmental impact with each transaction. Although each home is unique and requires a customized process to make it a Zip Code ECO listing, our intention is to leave each home greener than we found it. With this in mind, our team has created an eco-home checklist to help guide clients on this journey.
Greener Home Buyer Packages: Buying a home is a great time to overhaul long seated practices. At each of our closings, we gift home buyers a green welcome home package. These packages are filled with items that will help create greener habits. Gifts may include a home energy audit, a smart thermostat or zero waste home alternatives. They are specifically crafted to aid the homebuyer in making greener choices. We source our gifts locally, whenever possible, and support neighborhood charities through our donation process.
Low Impact Events: We love putting on events that bring the community together. Gatherings of this scale can be big waste producers, so we plan each of our events with the environment in mind. We start by asking ourselves simple questions as we plan our events. How can we reduce waste? What is the greenest option? Can it be composted? And if not, how can we reuse and reduce?
Greener Office Practices: We also ask ourselves these questions in our daily operations. Each day we are committed to reducing waste as much as possible. By using reusable straws, a smart thermostat, and package-free toilet paper, we keep our footprint in mind at all times. We’re committed to making each real estate transaction as eco-friendly as possible by employing a suite of digital tools for transaction management and client communication.
Green Community Tips: We frequently share tips and tricks with our community about creating a greener home. We cover topics such as reducing plastic consumption, composting and greener options for decluttering and moving. We are planning a green living lecture series for our agents and the community where we’ll share zero waste tips, bring in sustainability experts and discuss ways to create a greener home.
Our commitment to the environment is ongoing and on our minds with everything we do.
For more tips from your local green realtor, check back next month, and as always, if you’re interested in selling, buying or have questions about a greener home buying experience, contact us. We love being your local green resource.