Ballo featured in Twyg: What it means to become a B Corp

We were recently featured in Twyg, discussing the journey to becoming a Certified B Corporation.

For those unfamiliar with it, B Corp certification is a global standard that evaluates a company’s impact across five areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Unlike product certifications that focus on a single item, B Corp looks at the entire business - how it operates, treats employees, works with suppliers and contributes to society.

Why we pursued B Corp certification

At Ballo, sustainability has always been part of how we work. Our frames are handmade in Cape Town using recycled, upcycled and plant-based materials, with a focus on reducing waste and extending the life of materials.

But the B Corp process challenged us to go deeper.

As we explained in the Twyg article:

“We’ve used the framework as a discipline rather than a badge. It’s helped us formalise values that were already part of Ballo, while also pushing us to make concrete operational, environmental and social improvements.”

The certification process took almost a year and required documenting everything - from supplier practices to environmental impact.

One of the biggest challenges was gathering formal certifications from suppliers, particularly when working with waste materials sourced from smaller businesses and designers.

But the process forced us to look closely at every part of the business.

More than a badge

For us, B Corp isn’t something to put on packaging and forget about.

Companies must re-certify every three years, ensuring that they continue improving their impact and accountability.

Being part of the B Corp community also connects us with other businesses working towards similar goals - sharing knowledge, ideas and collaboration.

As we shared in the article:

“It feels great to be part of a community of people and businesses who are putting the planet before profit.”

Read the full article

If you’re curious about the certification process and why it matters for South African businesses, you can read the full Twyg article here.

Read the full feature →